Coping with ‘unknowns’ flying in high-conflict Haiti — World Points

Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, is gripped by insecurity on account of gang violence and now UNHAS, which is managed by the UN’s World Meals Programme (WFP) is the one possibility for humanitarian staff to journey safely out and in of the town and for important tools and reduction help to be transported and distributed throughout the nation.

Robine JNBaptise, who works for UNHAS, and Christine Blais, who’s employed by Building Helicopters, the aviation firm working the plane, spoke to UN Information about their experiences of working in a high-conflict zone.

Robine JNBaptise: We have now 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 chargeable 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’d fly between two to 6 hours. Our plane at the moment are based mostly in Cap Haitien, however we’ve flown out of Turks and Caicos in addition to the Dominican Republic.

Robine JNBaptise: It’s a traumatic 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 staff, but additionally UN workers. We’re transferring individuals to a safer a part of the nation, but additionally bringing important workers again to Port-au-Prince. We have now relocated some 200 individuals to locations exterior Haiti, so on the finish of the day, it’s a rewarding job.

Christine Blais: Once we land in Port-au-Prince, we hold the time on the bottom to a minimal in an effort to mitigate the dangers. We will land, load and take off inside two to 5 minutes, which may be very quick. We have now an excellent floor crew who hold us protected. In a high-conflict zone, we’ve to stay versatile always while responding to the wants of the UN.

Robine JNBaptise: One of many huge challenges we face is overflying Port-au-Prince, the place gangs are preventing one another or with the police. There may be at all times the hazard that one in all 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 had been on the worldwide airport when there was a safety breach. It was undoubtedly a harmful and scary second for them as photographs had been being fired as they had been engaged on an plane. A industrial airplane, 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 huge 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 to not take dangers. I’ve to understand that something can occur to me or the plane.

Christine Blais: In high-conflict zones, there are at all times unknowns, and we’ve to concentrate on the threats always. I rely rather a lot on our group and perceive that if one thing had been to occur, you simply should take care of it because it comes.

Robine JNBaptise: The service we’re offering is basically lifesaving, so if our touchdown zones had been shut down, it could be disastrous. At UNHAS, we at all times must remind those who we’re a humanitarian service and that we take no sides. Our function is to move humanitarian staff and reduction help in an effort 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 need 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 residence, and I need to be a part of a brighter future for Haiti.