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In 2024, the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), managed by WFP, transported more than 20,000 humanitarian workers and 50 metric tonnes of cargo across Afghanistan. These flights ensured that humanitarian personnel and aid arrived in hard-to-reach and remote communities and that aid workers knew they could be evacuated in case of medical or security emergencies.
UNHAS services in Afghanistan are at serious risk due to critical funding shortfalls. To stretch limited resources, UNHAS has already implemented US$9.5 million in cost reductions for 2025, including cancelling one airplane and the only helicopter contracts, suspending regular flights to Bamyan, Gardez (Paktya) and Nili (Daykundi), and reducing flight frequencies to all remaining locations. These cuts significantly impact humanitarian access, jeopardizing the timely delivery of aid and personnel to remote and vulnerable communities. Without urgent donor support, further reductions could severely disrupt lifesaving operations across the country.
Without urgent funding, more destinations will need to be cancelled. The international routes connecting Afghanistan with Tajikistan and Pakistan, both critical in case humanitarian workers need to be relocated, are at risk.
UNHAS in Afghanistan urgently needs US$10.5 million to sustain operations in 2025. More than 120 national and international organizations NGOs, UN Agencies and diplomatic missions rely on the services of UNHAS as a key enabler for their work.
Operating in Afghanistan since 2002, UNHAS is the only reliable air service where commercial aviation is unavailable.
By overcoming rugged terrain and limited road access, it ensures humanitarian organizations can reach people in need across the country