Background
Due to the lack of access by air to the city of Aden, Yemen, the Logistics Cluster coordinates and facilitates passenger movement via sea on a WFP-chartered vessel, which also serves as an emergency rescue and evacuation vessel.
Additionally, the Logistics Cluster shares space availability on the vessel to facilitate cargo transportation to Aden.
Since May 2016, a regular schedule and booking system has been in place, with weekly rotations between Djibouti and Aden. The schedule has been designed so as to allow passengers to easily connect with UNHAS flights on Djibouti route to and from Sana’a.
A snapshot containing additional information can be found at http://www.logcluster.org/document/snapshotpassenger-sea-transport-november-2016 .
Pending availability of resources and based on needs, the service will be maintained through 2017.
Highlights
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From May to January 2017, 39 voyagestook place between Djibouti and Aden, transporting a total of 786 passengers on behalf of 25 agencies.
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Two new organizations use the service in January: the Yemeni NGO FMF, so that its staff could attend the launch of the Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan in Geneva; and, the INGO Solidarites Internationale.