A new humanitarian air service launched on Thursday will boost COVID-19 response in the Pacific, according to Governments and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Flights will transport essential medical supplies at a time when commercial aviation across the region has been affected by airport closures and other measures to contain the disease.

Julia Dean of the UN Country Team in Australia, spoke to Jo Pilgrim, Director of WFP’s Pacific Multi-Country Office, which is based in Fiji.

She explained how the humanitarian air service will fill a “crucial gap” during the pandemic.