WFP to begin humanitarian passenger air service

To overcome security constraints in the DRC, WFP has announced it will begin a special operation in July aimed at establishing passenger air service to improve humanitarian and diplomatic access to remote areas in the DRC. According to a WFP report issued last week, an initial US $1 million contribution from WFP’s Immediate Response Account was approved for the first three months of the operation, with total cost for the six-month operation estimated at US $2.2 million. Meanwhile, at the end of June, WFP began an air operation in northern Katanga, airlifting 92 tons of food within one week to Manono, Kabalo and Kongolo with an additional 26 flights scheduled for the coming weeks. The WFP report noted that the general security situation in eastern DRC remains volatile, with repeated attacks restricting movement of people and goods in recent weeks in Bukavu, South Kivu province. Mayi-Mayi militia forces reportedly attacked Rwandan forces on the Bunyakiri axis, resulting in the displacement of some 34,000 people towards Kalehe. Continued fighting in Lemera and the Kaziba mountains prevented WFP from delivering food to malnourished children there. In the Budi, Kitenge and Kabongo areas of Katanga province, WFP is currently organising the delivery and distribution of over 300 tons of food to 41,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and continues to monitor population movements across the frontline. Some 15,0000 refugees are receiving food assistance through WFP/UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) implementing partners in Kahemba, Bandundu province, while in Kimpese, Bas-Congo province, some 24,000 are receiving WFP assistance.