New Delhi (NVI): The world leading airlines have partnered with UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), to prioritize delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, essential medicines and other life-saving supplies to lower-income countries.
More than 10 airlines signed agreements with the UN agency to support its ‘Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative’, to deliver vaccines and medical supplies around the world to respond to the pandemic.
According to the UNICEF, the airlines namely AirBridgeCargo, Air France/KLM, Astral Aviation, Brussels Airlines, Cargolux, Cathay Pacific, Emirates Skycargo, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, IAG Cargo, Korean Air, Lufthansa Cargo, Qatar Airways, SAUDIA, Singapore Airlines Ltd, United Airlines are joining the initiative.
The airlines will be covering routes to over 100 countries, in support of the COVAX Facility – the global effort aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines.
“As many as 145 countries will receive doses to immunize around 3 per cent of their population, on average, in the first half of 2021, subject to all requirements being met and final allocation plans,” the UN agency said in a statement.
The UNICEF ‘Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative’ has been formed with leading airlines to secure the transport of vaccines, and other life-saving supplies worldwide.
The UN agency said that the initiative will also act as a global logistics preparedness mechanism for other humanitarian and health crises over the longer term.
“Delivery of these life-saving vaccines is a monumental and complex undertaking, considering the sheer volumes that need to be transported, the cold chain requirements, the number of expected deliveries and the diversity of routes,” said Etleva Kadilli, Director of UNICEF Supply Division.
“We are grateful to these airlines for joining forces with the UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative to support the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines,” Kadilli added.
In addition to prioritizing shipments of these life-saving supplies, the airlines will take measures such as temperature control and security, while also adding freight capacity to routes where needed, the statement said, adding that, “The participation of the airline industry is vital to support equal access to vaccines worldwide.”
“Safe, timely and efficient transportation of life-saving supplies is critical to supporting access to essential services for children and families, and the aviation industry’s role in this is critical,” UNICEF said.
Moreover, COVAX deliveries and the subsequent vaccination of frontline workers will support health and social care systems to safely resume these critical services.
The initiative supports the COVAX facility, a global solution to the COVID-19 pandemic that ensures participating countries have fair access to vaccines, regardless of their income level.
Under COVAX, UNICEF is leading the procurement and delivery of quality-assured COVID-19 vaccines for low-income and lower-middle-income countries, the statement added.
-RJV
