BEVERLY HILLS, February 17, (THEWILL) – In a bid to distribute Covid-19 vaccines and engage in other allied services to 145 countries, the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has created an initiative called ‘UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative’ which has partnered with 15 airlines across the globe.
Participating airlines are: 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.
According to UNICEF, “These airlines have signed agreements with UNICEF to support the prioritization of delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, essential medicines, medical devices and other critical supplies to respond to the pandemic.”
In order to help UNICEF reach participating countries swiftly and securely, it said: “Airlines have committed to prioritizing the transport of the life-saving supplies, ensuring measures such as temperature control and security and adding freight capacity to routes where needed.”
“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.
Explaining further, the international body added that “The participation of the airline industry is vital to support equal access to vaccines worldwide. 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.
Airlines covering routes to over 100 countries will support the COVAX Facility – the global effort aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Beginning this year and subject to all requirements being met and allocation plans finalized, 145 countries will receive doses to immunize an average of three per cent of their populations.
This is according to the COVAX facility’s first-round allocation plan. In addition to prioritizing the shipments of life-saving supplies, the airlines will take measures, such as temperature control and security, while also adding freight capacity to routes, as needed.
UNICEF stressed that their commitments are essential to the “timely and secure delivery” of vaccines and critical supplies.
“Safe, timely and efficient transportation of life-saving supplies is critical to supporting access to essential services for children and families,” said UNICEF.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
