DILI, 8 July 2020 (TATOLI) – The Malaysian Commercial cargo aircraft Coordinated by the World Food Program (WFP) will be arriving today at Nicolau Lobato Airport in Dili, bringing 16 passengers and 76-kilograms of cargo from Kuala-Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Commercial Cargo aircraft has visited Timor-Leste three times and bring with humanitarian relief to combat the coronavirus pandemic and also transporting a total of 48 passengers to other countries since Jun 14, 21 and 28.
“COVID-19 has distracted the global transportation system and affected the capacity of response from humanitarian healthcare workers. The WHO, UN, NGO’s and the government are using the WFP logistic capacity to support these flights to move humanitarian workers, technical staff, other personnel and cargo to countries that need it most to combat the novel coronavirus” The statement said.
Since the establishment of this Aircraft in May, the WFP had moved 500 passengers and cargo to the countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East together with 5000 humanitarian healthcare workers from 200 organizations to 43 countries.
The Government over Timor-Leste’s Civil Aviation Authority (AACTL, I.P) decided to suspend international commercial flight operation on April 4 temporarily as a means to avoid propagation of COVID-19.
Jornalist: Natalino Costa
Editor’s: Nicholas Kettle/Julia Chatarina
Translation: Nelia Borges Rosario
