January 10, 2006	Tuesday	Zilhaj 9, 1426

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: United Nations Helicopter Service (UNHAS) would partially resume relief operation in Azad Kashmir villages from Tuesday.

UN Humanitarian spokesman Ben Malor, talking to this reporter, said flights to Lepa would be restored by tomorrow.

UNHAS had suspended all relief flights into Banamula and Lepa last Saturday after dozens of quake survivors stormed two UN helicopters.

Under threats, the helicopters brought approximately 20 survivors to Muzaffarabad and Abbotabad. A Pakistani Air Safety officer was hit by villagers.

Investigations into the incident were jointly launched by the UN and army to prevent such incidents in future.

Replying to a question, Mr Malor said no additional security measures had been taken. They would continue to have Pakistan military presence at the helipads as usual, he added. He said the Saturday’s incident should be looked at as an isolated incident, which would not be allowed to affect the entire operation. “We are still reaching vast area in the quake affected zone.”

Relief goods would be transported by road to Banamula from Lepa.

Meanwhile, the army has asked the UN agencies to share their flight plan 24 hours in advance for security clearance. The army has promised to ensure “absolute security” to humanitarian flights.

After instances of vehicles and some aircraft getting stuck on the Abbottabad helicopter landing zone due to lack of adequate winterisation, the helipad surfaces are being made compatible to use in winter conditions. United Nations Joint Logistics Centre warned that if this does not take place rapidly, it could restrict UNHAS airlift operations.

EID HOLIDAYS: A request has been made to the army to provide additional manpower if workforce gets shrunk during the Eid holidays. For air operations, help is needed in loading and offloading.

Furthermore, WFP plans to build up large quantities of food as buffer stocks in all hubs prior to Eid.