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Leading airlines commit to helping UNICEF in its historic mission of transporting COVID-19 vaccines around the world

15 February 2021
Venezuela. A plane, managed by UNICEF, arrived in the country with supplies.
UNICEF/UNI319459/Rocio Ortega

COPENHAGEN, 16 February 2021 UNICEF is today launching the Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative. Under this landmark initiative, over 10 leading airlines are signing 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. 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.”

The UNICEF Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative brings together the airlines covering routes to over 100 countries, in support of the COVAX Facility – the global effort aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Based on the COVAX Facility’s indicative distribution and first round allocation plan, 145 countries will receive doses to immunize around three per cent of their population, on average, starting in the first half of 2021, subject to all requirements being met and final allocation plans.

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. Their commitments are critical 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. COVAX deliveries and the subsequent vaccination of frontline workers will support health and social care systems to safely resume these critical services.

 

Media contacts

Sabrina Sidhu
UNICEF New York
Tel: +1 917 476 1537
Anne-Sophie Bonefeld
UNICEF Copenhagen
Tel: +45 24 69 46 76

Additional resources

COVAX COVID-19 vaccines delivered to Ghana
FILE PHOTO: A plane carrying the first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines distributed by the COVAX Facility landing at Kotoka International Airport in Accra, Ghana's capital on 24 February 2021.

Additional resources for media

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

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