Air Cargo Management

Airlines support UNICEF with global transportation of covid vaccines

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UNICEF covid
photo_camera UNICEF staff member during the arrival of a plane with 32 tons of vaccines and supplies to combat COVID-19, at the Venezuela’s main airport on November 23, 2020 in Caracas, Venezuela.So far this year (October 2020), in Venezuela, UNICEF has distributed over 2.600 tons of supplies, more than US$10 million, to more than 1,332 sites in 23 states.As November, UNICEF Venezuela received a total of 20.1 tons of health and PPE supplies delivered by air and a total of 168.9 tons delivered by sea, including 7.9 tons of health supplies. This last cargo flight includes vaccines procured by UNICEF to contribute the National Immunization program. UNICEF has procured the following vaccines: BCG, polio (IPV and bOPV), MMR Vaccine (Measles, Mumps and Rubeola), yellow fever, DTP-HepB-Hib Vaccine (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus Influenzae) and Td (Tetanus and diphtheria).All vaccines procured by UNICEF thanks to the contributions of it donors are WHO prequalified and comply with all international quality standards. UNICEF also provides the syringes and security boxes for each vaccines donation to reach for free all vulnerable people and protect them.

Multiple airlines have signed agreements with UNICEF to transport Covid-19 vaccines across the world as part of its Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative and COVAX facility.

Working with several partners, 16 major airlines and airline groups will help distribute the vaccine and essential related supplies to more than 100 countries worldwide including Air France KLM Martinair Cargo.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo’s SVP  of sales & distribution, GertJan Roelands, said: “We’re very pleased to be formalising our partnership with UNICEF by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. We’ve been working together for a long time and are confidently looking forward to participating in this Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative.
“Our extensive global freight network, expertise, dedicated people and services will play an important role in ensuring the successful shipment of Covid-19 vaccines with the highest priority and under the required strict conditions.”
In its first round of allocations, COVAX is sending enough doses to 145 countries to ensure that they can immunise around three percent of their population in the first half of 2021.

To transport the vaccine, UNICEF is working with:

  • AirBridgeCargo
  • Air France-KLM
  • Astral Aviation
  • Brussels Airlines
  • Cargolux
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Emirates SkyCargo
  • Ethiopian Airlines
  • Etihad Airways
  • IAG Cargo
  • Korean Air
  • Lufthansa Cargo
  • Qatar Airways
  • SAUDIA
  • Singapore Airlines
  • United Airlines

IAG Cargo’s chief commercial officer, John Cheetham, added: “We are incredibly proud to be able to support UNICEF in its work and to continue to play our part in this incredible global effort.

“We have many years’ experience flying vaccines and bio-science products around the world, delivering them safely to where they need to be. We’ve already transported over one million doses of the Covid-19 vaccines across the world, alongside transporting medical equipment, other types of vaccines, Covid-19 testing kits and PPE, as well as continuing to transport everyday products the world needs. Our hub facilities are world-class, and our global team of Constant Climate professionals are specialists in their field and have been preparing for this operation for some time.”

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