Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, is gripped by insecurity resulting from gang violence and now UNHAS, which is managed by the UN’s World Meals Programme (WFP) is the one possibility for humanitarian employees to journey safely out and in of the town and for crucial gear and reduction support to be transported and distributed throughout the nation.
Robine JNBaptise, who works for UNHAS, and Christine Blais, who’s employed by Development Helicopters, the aviation firm working the plane, spoke to UN Information about their experiences of working in a high-conflict zone.
Robine JNBaptise: We now have two plane right here in Haiti – a helicopter that holds about 19 individuals or can carry two tonnes or cargo and a fixed-wing jet 45 that carries 9 individuals. I’m an aviation and reserving assistant, so am answerable for getting individuals on and off the plane. I additionally help with administration and securing working permits.
Christine Blais: I’ve served as a flight mechanic and crew chief flying missions round Haiti. On any given day, we might fly between two to 6 hours. Our plane at the moment are primarily based in Cap Haitien, however now we have flown out of Turks and Caicos in addition to the Dominican Republic.
Robine JNBaptise: It’s a anxious job, however fortunately for me, I carry out very effectively beneath strain. On some days, we assist as much as 100 individuals, primarily [non-governmental organisation] NGO employees, but additionally UN employees. We’re shifting individuals to a safer a part of the nation, but additionally bringing important employees again to Port-au-Prince. We now have relocated some 200 individuals to locations exterior Haiti, so on the finish of the day, it’s a rewarding job.
Christine Blais: After we land in Port-au-Prince, we hold the time on the bottom to a minimal as a way to mitigate the dangers. We will land, load and take off inside two to 5 minutes, which may be very quick. We now have an excellent floor crew who hold us protected. In a high-conflict zone, now we have to stay versatile always while responding to the wants of the UN.
© WFP/Theresa Piorr
A helicopter flies over an city location in Haiti.
Robine JNBaptise: One of many massive challenges we face is overflying Port-au-Prince, the place gangs are preventing one another or with the police. There’s all the time the hazard that one among our plane will get hit by a stray bullet, though I don’t assume that our plane are being deliberately focused.
Christine Blais: Colleagues of mine have been on the worldwide airport when there was a safety breach. It was positively a harmful and scary second for them as pictures have been being fired as they have been engaged on an plane. A industrial aircraft, which was on the bottom on the time, was hit.
Robine JNBaptise: The worldwide airport closed for some weeks, so we established a touchdown zone elsewhere. One massive concern is that gangs might transfer into this space and take over the touchdown zone which might cease our operations.
This could be a scary job, however we at the moment are used to the risks and stress, though we be sure that to not take dangers. I’ve to remember the fact that something can occur to me or the plane.
Christine Blais: In high-conflict zones, there are all the time unknowns, and now we have to concentrate on the threats always. I rely loads on our group and perceive that if one thing have been to occur, you simply must take care of it because it comes.
© WFP/Theresa Piorr
A passenger arrives on an UNHAS helicopter.
Robine JNBaptise: The service we’re offering is de facto lifesaving, so if our touchdown zones have been shut down, it might be disastrous. At UNHAS, we all the time must remind people who we’re a humanitarian service and that we take no sides. Our function is to move humanitarian employees and reduction support as a way to assist individuals in disaster.
I’ve by no means considered leaving the nation. If I go away, then who’s there to remain? As a Haitian and a humanitarian employee, I wish to be right here and assist to get the nation again to the place it as soon as was.
Sooner or later, the scenario goes to enhance as a result of once we attain all-time low, there’s nowhere else to go besides up. That is my dwelling, and I wish to be a part of a brighter future for Haiti.
