SUVA, Fiji: As supply chains remain disrupted across the Pacific region impacting the movement of critical supplies, on 25 March the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) - on behalf of WHO, UNFPA, UNDP, UN in Pacific and the Government of New Zealand - transported over 5000 kg of COVID-19 medical cargo, including oxygen concentrators and other vital supplies to Vanuatu.
We are pleased that our Pacific Humanitarian Air Service continues to be the lifeline filling in the gaps left by commercial supply chain disruptions. The impacts of COVID-19 are still being felt across the Pacific, and with the support of our UN and government partners, we are able to move life-saving medical cargo, when and where it is needed," said Carlos Veloso, Country Director a.i. of WFP's Pacific Multi-Country Office.
"With thanks to funding support from the European Union, we are able to deliver life-saving equipment and supplies like oxygen concentrators, patient monitors, rapid antigen kits, GeneXpert tests, swabs, and oximeters to Vanuatu. These equipment and supplies are coming ata critical time when Vanuatu is experiencing its first ever surge in COVID-19 cases," said Dr Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative to the South Pacific and Director of Pacific Technical Support.
The WFP's Pacific humanitarian air service is a collaboration between key partners and organisations in combining resources and skills to respond to the pandemic as well as natural disasters across the Pacific region. In addition to the European Union, the operation is funded by the Government of Australia and USAID.
