01 Jun Air Serv’s Chad Programs Renewed for Another Year

WARRENTON, VIRGINIA (June 1, 2011): Air Serv’s programs in Chad were renewed for another year by both of the US Government agencies that support them. The Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM) renewed its grant to Air Serv for a full year beginning today, and the US Agency for International Development, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) renewed its grant through March 31, 2012.

BPRM’s and OFDA’s continued support for another year will keep Air Serv’s Twin Otter aircraft busy moving humanitarian passengers and cargo between Abeche where it is based and numerous refugee camps and internally displaced person camps in Chad’s portion of Darfur. Support for Twin Otter operations is shared jointly between the two agencies.

BPRM also supports Air Serv’s Caravan in Chad to provide additional airlift beyond the capability of the Twin Otter alone. BPRM began supporting a second aircraft in Chad in October 2010.

Thanks to the generous support of both these agencies Air Serv’s programs in Chad now continue for the eighth consecutive year. Sadly the difficult circumstances in the camps in eastern Chad will require ongoing support from the international humanitarian community that Air Serv transports. Unsafe roads, lack of airports, and annual flooding have long made eastern and southern Chad difficult — sometimes impossible — areas to navigate by vehicle. Increasing criminal violence and related incidents against humanitarian travelers, on the rise since 2008, has made air travel critically important for those working in the remote regions of Chad. Air Serv is pleased to continue its service to this community.