UNICEF proceeds to the implementation of the initiative to organize the air transport of humanitarian goods. According to the Children's Fund of the UN, within the framework of this significant initiative, more than 10 leading airlines sign agreements with UNICEF in order to assist in ensuring the prioritization of vaccine delivery against COVID-19, major drugs, medical devices and other major materials necessary to combat pandemic . This initiative will also serve as a global mechanism for ensuring the readiness of the material and technical supply system to other humanitarian crises and health crises in the long-term perspective.
"Delivery of these rescues human life vaccines is a large-scale and challenging task, taking into account the huge amounts of cargo to be transported, the demands of the cold chain, the number of alleged delivery and a variety of routes," said Etleva Cadilly, director of the UNICEF supply department. - We are grateful to these airlines for combining efforts with the initiative of UNICEF on the organization of air transportation of humanitarian cargo in order to promote the introduction of Vaccines against COVID-19. "
The UNICEF Initiative on the organization of air transportation of humanitarian goods unites airlines flying to more than 100 countries to support the COVAX mechanism - a system of global efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccines against COVID-19. In accordance with the accepted COVAX mechanism of the approximate distribution and the first round of vaccine providing, starting from the first half of 2021, 145 countries will receive a dose for immunization on average of about three percent of the population, subject to all requirements and according to the final plans in this area.
In addition to the inclusion of the delivery of these means, saving human life, among the primary tasks, airlines will take measures such as compliance with the temperature regime and ensuring safety, along with an increase in the possibilities for the carriage of goods on those routes where it is necessary. Their obligations are crucial for the timely and safe delivery of vaccines and essential materials.
Safe, timely and efficient transportation of saving livelihoods and materials plays a key role in ensuring access to basic services for children and families. COVAX organized delivery of goods and subsequent vaccination of workers directly interacting with the population will help health and social protection systems to resume the provision of these critical services in safe conditions.