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the humanitarian and development
community,” Saba added.
In December 2021, IHC and the
DIHAD Sustainable Humanitarian
Photo: Astral Aerial Solutions Understanding, which focuses on the
Foundation signed a Memorandum of
creation and development of bringing
public and private organisations together
to collaborate and build long-term
humanitarian partnerships, with the goal
of strengthening cooperation between the
two institutes and planning for sustainable
Photo: Astral Aviation operation can aid in intelligently
and innovative projects.
Having more stops during a drone

harnessing this technology. “There is
definitely a drive towards sustainability
Photo: IHC of drone operations in the delivery space.
Higher volumes of cargo that allow
for more flights, reverse logistics and
spreading the number of clients that utilise
In fact, Astral Aerial Solutions obtained the route can make drone deliveries more
regulatory approval for beyond-visual sustainable,” said Julie Makena, drone
line-of-sight cargo delivery flights, engineer, Astral Aerial.
where they demonstrated supply chain Over the years, advances in humanitarian
operations. In May this year, Astral Aerial logistics, drone logistics enabling speedier
Solutions, Swoop Aero, and Skyports supplies, and data utilisation have enabled
carried out Kenya's first Beyond Visual better and faster responses.
Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone deliveries. Despite this, there are still a few
The collaboration will offer the health challenges like unstable costs involved that
sector last-mile drone operations to deliver airlines face while delivering essentials to
critical medical cargo, such as samples, The versatility of other countries or continents using data
vaccines, and medicines, to healthcare drone platforms effectively, considering the sustainability of
institutions in hard-to-reach areas of makes them ideal the food packaging and essentials that are
Kenya. The firm intends to grow this being delivered to the needy and ensuring
through partnerships with humanitarian for a wide range that they are in good and hygienic condition.
and healthcare organisations. of applications. However, Kovalova says that she does

A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH The drone that is not see an immediate switch from the
dependence of air transport solutions
Creating healthcare facilities and other basic deployed to deliver during a humanitarian crisis yet. “In our
infrastructure is becoming an increasingly job, we rely on air transport solutions as it
important aspect of humanitarian medical supplies is often the quickest way to help people in
operations. Food aid is a lifeline for people can also be deployed need. Clients seek solutions with Chapman
suffering from hunger and starvation in a crisis response Freeborn only in emergency situations
and also during humanitarian crisis. One when other solutions are not an option.
important factor that is often overlooked scenario for last-mile The humanitarian market relying on air
is the importance of food packaging in delivery of emergency transport less, would require local hubs
ensuring that food is safe and nutritious to be stocked with supplies over time and
when it reaches those in need. supplies. ready for emergencies, especially in areas
Food wastage is frequently caused by JULIE MAKENA from where cargo can be distributed to
poor packaging since food can deteriorate ASTRAL AERIAL SOLUTIONS those in need by other means of transport.
and become unsafe for consumption. How However, this is easier said than done:
can we make packaging more sustainable like shelter and tents, etc. We are the nature of the humanitarian sector is
within the current supply chain networks adopting materials and designs to recycle its unpredictability coupled with a lack
operating in this area? and reuse by shifting the packaging from of infrastructure in affected areas. Unless
“This has been a topic of discussion a burden into something which can be there are other infrastructures in place,
and study for a while now. We should value-addition. Some of the companies such as railways or electric vehicles, it will
reduce waste, not only for food based in IHC have already provided not be an easy switch from air transport,”
packaging but also for all relief materials similar solutions in cooperation with said Kovalova.

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