ISLAMABAD, May 31: The largest humanitarian helicopter operation ever organised by the United Nations ended on Wednesday after having transported nearly 30,000 tons of aid supplies and tens of thousands of aid workers and other passengers to earthquake-hit Azad Kashmir.

The United Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS), administered by the World Food Programme, started two days after the massive October 8 earthquake that killed over 73,000 people.

“We would have liked to keep a smaller fleet during the coming monsoon period when some roads could be blocked, but we do not have enough resources to maintain the operation,” said Michael Jones, WFP Country Director in Pakistan.

The UNHAS flew 24 helicopters till March, including eight from the United States and Nato forces. By the end of April, it was left with eight helicopters and in May it worked with four helicopters.

“These helicopters remained crucial in transporting food and non-food items like medicines and warm clothing and they helped prevent many deaths during the emergency phase,” said Mr Jones.

The UNHAS fleet included MI-8, MI-26 and KA32 models. The agency also had support from US Chinooks, German Stallions and Australian Black Hawks.—PPI