Coronavirus: EU sets up humanitarian air bridge to CAR, other African countries

The European Commission has set up an EU humanitarian air bridge to transport humanitarian workers and emergency supplies for the coronavirus response to some of most critical areas around the world.

The first EU flight, operated in cooperation with France, is flying from Lyon to the Central African Republic this Friday. It will transport around 60 humanitarian workers from various NGOs and 13 tons of humanitarian cargo.

Two subsequent humanitarian cargo flights will follow in the coming days to transport a further 27 tons of humanitarian supplies in total, the European Commission said in a press release posted on its website.

More EU humanitarian flights are being scheduled for the coming weeks, prioritizing African countries where the pandemic has the potential to worsen many existing humanitarian crises.

Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, is aboard the first flight to Bangui and will meet President Faustin-Archange Touadéra of CAR, as well as humanitarian organizations.

Commissioner Janez Lenarčič said: “Leaving any area of the world unprotected today leaves us all unprotected tomorrow. As part of our global response, the EU will open a dedicated Humanitarian Air Bridge to get aid into areas, which lack supplies due to the difficulties of global transit. This can be a lifeline for some of the most vulnerable communities worldwide.”

On their return leg, the Air Bridge flights will bring back EU citizens and other passengers from the Central African Republic in a repatriation effort.