Ethiopia - UNHAS - Standard Administrative and Operating Procedures (SAOP) Part 1 (Users) - Oct 2025

Country: Ethiopia Sources: Logistics Cluster, World Food Programme Please refer to the attached file. 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLES Aviation plays an important role in humanitarian operations around the world, especially in countries where overland transport is difficult or impossible due to insecurity, damaged or inadequate infrastructure, and challenging climatic conditions. Aviation allows the transport of humanitarian aid workers and humanitarian cargo to communities in some of the world’s most inaccessible places. During the Fifth Session of the United Nations High Level Committee on Management (HLCM) held in New York from 12-13 June 2003, the World Food Programme (WFP) accepted the request of the Committee to take the responsibility for administering air transport services for UN agencies and NGOs involved in humanitarian and “other” activities not directly or specifically for peacekeeping. Thus, effective January 2004, WFP became the managing body of newly established United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). The operation of aircraft of any kind is a costly and potentially dangerous undertaking, and it is essential that it is conducted in a safe and cost-effective manner. UNHAS bases its rules and procedures, staff qualification criteria and aircraft chartering procedures on the United Nations Aviation Standards for Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Air Operations (UNAVSTADS). The UNAVSTADS have been developed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) / Department of Field Support (DFS) and the World Food Programme (WFP) with the assistance of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Operating in accordance with these standards does not diminish UNHAS ability to flexibly respond: in challenging and changing contexts, like conflict or disaster, the operational requirements and priorities invariably change over time and the operational response must adapt accordingly. Resultantly, air operations are inherently flexible and can be quickly adapted to meet these new situations and requirements. The operational structure and these procedures must also remain flexible and responsive to new and/or changed needs. To this end, these procedures will remain under constant review and subject to amendment as required. UNHAS receives permanent support from the WFP Aviation Service in the areas of staff recruitment, funds management, aircraft contracting and fleet management, internal quality assurance evaluations, safety related guidance and aviation training. 1.2 UNHAS ETHIOPIA CONCEPT OF OPERATION Humanitarian organizations have increasingly come to rely on air assets to provide urgent relief to disaster victims. Particularly so, is when surface transport is difficult or impossible due to insecurity and poor infrastructure. Long lasting protracted emergencies like Ethiopia’s refugee camps, also require an ever-higher level of dedicated air support, not only for transportation of humanitarian community to remote and inaccessible locations, but also for delivering of critical supplies. The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) managed by the World Food Programme (WFP) provides such vital services to the humanitarian community. UNHAS Ethiopia has its main operating base in Addis Ababa. Two fixed-wing passenger aircraft ( 10-seaters C208Bs “Caravans”) are utilized to cover the humanitarian air operations within Ethiopia. UNHAS Ethiopia also administratively supports neighbouring UNHAS Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and South-Sudan operations. Services provided include passenger and cargo services, medical and security evacuations, dedicated flights and interagency missions. Additionally, cargo services to individual organizations may be provided. Emergency evacuations and relocation of staff will be requested through the office of the United Nations Designated Official. Medical evacuations will be covered by the requesting agency on a full cost recovery basis. The operation has an in-built flexibility to cover new and emerging requirements in the area. In this regard, the aircraft location may change to address the needs of the Humanitarian Community. These are under constant review as they are often affected by political, natural and security considerations. UNHAS Ethiopia follows administrative and operating procedures which have been standardized throughout, relying on approved and integrated administration, communication, flight information, ramp, cargo services, medical and security evacuation procedures. This integration has allowed for increased productivity with substantial economies of scale. Professional operating criteria contribute to safe and reliable operations thus allowing all accredited humanitarian organizations to transport their staff and supplies with a minimum of delay and maximum safety.

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