The United Nations has approved a 48 million dollar intervention to sustain humanitarian air services in Nigeria and several crisis-affected countries, a move aimed at restoring access to vulnerable populations cut off by insecurity and logistical challenges.
The funding, drawn from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund, will support the continued operation of the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), a critical transport system that enables aid workers and essential supplies to reach remote and conflict-affected areas.
In Nigeria, particularly the North-East region grappling with insurgency, poor road networks and security threats have made air transport the safest and often the only viable option for humanitarian operations.
A UN spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, described the service as a “lifeline,” stressing that it ensures the movement of humanitarian personnel and cargo necessary for life-saving interventions.
Access Constraints Threaten Aid Delivery
The latest intervention follows months of disruption to air operations caused by funding shortages, which led to the suspension of fixed-wing flights in 2025. The suspension significantly hampered humanitarian outreach, limiting the ability of agencies to deliver food, healthcare and emergency assistance.
Humanitarian actors warn that without reliable air services, millions of people in hard-to-reach communities risk being excluded from critical support, especially in regions where armed conflict and displacement persist.
The World Food Programme, which manages UNHAS, had earlier cautioned that funding gaps could severely impact operations in Nigeria, where over a million people depend on sustained humanitarian assistance.
Regional and Global Reach
Beyond Nigeria, the funding will also support UNHAS operations in other countries facing complex emergencies, including Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan and Syria.
The intervention underscores the increasing reliance on coordinated global responses to sustain humanitarian logistics in volatile regions.
Sustainability Concerns Remain
While the funding injection is expected to stabilise operations in the short term, experts note that humanitarian air services remain vulnerable to fluctuating donor support.
The UN has continued to appeal for sustained contributions to ensure uninterrupted access to affected populations, warning that any further disruptions could deepen humanitarian crises.
Outlook
Stakeholders say the restoration of air services in Nigeria will significantly improve the reach and efficiency of aid delivery. However, they emphasise the need for long-term investment in humanitarian logistics to match the growing scale of needs.
For many isolated communities, the continuation of UNHAS operations remains a crucial bridge between vulnerability and survival.
