The availability of commercial transport is severely limited in Guinea Bissau, particularly the 4X4 trucks, which are required to reach the extended delivery points and beneficiaries during the rainy season. A fleet of ten trucks will constitute the mainstay for WFP transport operations, and will be operated by selected local contractors. Many of the transportation corridors to deliver the much needed food aid are covered by landmines, making regular access to the beneficiaries exceedingly difficult. This special project has been on-going for most of 1998 but has been hampered by a lack of funding and other constraints. Given the deteriorating security situation and the re-mining of some transport corridors, the continuation of he air cargo operation is essential.
Cargo planes carry urgent food and non-food relief to beneficiary centres.
As landmines plague the roads of Angola, WFP operates an air passenger service on behalf of the humanitarian community to ensure the safety of UN, Embassy, and NGO personnel. The service operated throughout 1998. All rights reserved.