Provision of Humanitarian Air Services in Nepal

This operation expired on 31 December 2015.

This Special Operation (SO) is established to ensure humanitarian access to earthquakeaffected areas in Nepal through the provision of safe and reliable air transport services as well as to provide capacity for possible medical evacuation of humanitarian staff when required.

On 25 April, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. An estimated 6.6 million people are reportedly within 100 km of the epicentre. This earthquake was followed by up to thirty-one aftershocks of varying magnitude, with the latest aftershock occurring in the morning of 26 April with a magnitude of 6.7. Based on the magnitude of the earthquakes, the size of the affected population and their vulnerability, a high humanitarian impact is expected. According to initial media reports, buildings have collapsed and many roads remain blocked in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Nepal’s main international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport, sustained minimal damage and was temporarily closed but reopened after a few hours to international commercial traffic and relief flights. 

This second budget revision to SO 200849 seeks to align United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) Nepal activities with the evolving trends in the context of humanitarian operations in the country. With humanitarian needs prevalent in Nepal, demand for air transport remains high, thus necessitating the continuation of UNHAS until the end of 2015. Nonetheless, it is envisaged that from November, operations will scale down in view of projections made by the humanitarian community. The BR therefore aims to extend the operation in time from 27 October 2015 to 31 December 2015 with necessary adjustments in the operational structure.