The safety and security of aid workers, and those involved in the development and rehabilitation of Afghanistan, remains a concern. The World Food Programme provides the humanitarian community in Afghanistan with safe, efficient and reliable air transportation services to nine domestic locations across Afghanistan and two international flights to Afghanistan for those humanitarian, development workers, non-government organization (NGO) or government officials. Operating on a cost-recovery basis, donor contributions offset the service’s expense, with 70 percent of its revenue gained from ticket sales. Canada was among three donors to provide support to this crucial service in Afghanistan.

The United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Air Service has achieved the following significant result to date:

• It has provided safe and efficient transport to more than 37,000 passengers in 2009 through the use of five chartered aircraft.

• World Food Programme