UN announces plan to commence humanitarian flight operations in Niger

The United Nations has announced plans to resume humanitarian aid supplies in Niger after the country’s ruling junta lifted domestic flight restrictions.

The resumption of domestic flight operations, it said, will pave the way for the monthly delivery of nearly 2.4 metric tonnes of medical supplies and other aid as well as “critical medical and security evacuations for humanitarian staff”.

“The national aviation authorities in Niger have informed the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) that flight restrictions are now lifted for domestic operations, and that services can resume as of tomorrow,” the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairsv(OCHA) said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the UN agency has expressed fears that fuelling its aircraft may pose a threat to the exercise.

According to the UN, about 4.3 million Nigeriens depend on humanitarian aid to sustain themselves.

Recall that Western nations including France, the United States and the European Union have cut off aid to Niger following the removal of President Mohamed Bazoum.

Despite the sanctions, the UN in August renewed its commitment to continue delivering aid to the poor West African country.

Niger largely depends on aid from other countries while its economic activities center on subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, re-export trade, and export of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer.

The country has been plagued by long-running insecurity caused by violent extremist insurgency groups and the cut in spending could affect its internal security structure