Vanuatu and UN to test drone vaccine deliveries
The Government of Vanuatu and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) are partnering to launch what the United Nations said may be the Pacific's first-ever trial of drones to deliver life-saving vaccines to inaccessible remote communities in the island nation.UNICEF Pacific Representative Sheldon Yett said: “UNICEF is excited to work with the Government of Vanuatu to support this initiative. Ensuring vaccines are consistently available in isolated and remote communities is one of the keys to sustaining high rates of immunisation. We welcome innovative measures to ensure that every child is reached.” The Government is inviting applications (click here) from companies to test their remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS) technology for transportation of cargo. Successful applicants will be assessed for a long-term engagement with the Government. An archipelago of 83 islands that run 1,600 km north to south, 65 of which are inhabited and around 20 of which have airfields and established roads, Vanuatu faces considerable logistical challenges to reach, engage with and support remote communities, said the UN. This initiative is intended to explores options that allow the Government to enhance service delivery and reduce costs, as it does not require major investment in infrastructure and transport. “This is a milestone for Vanuatu,” said Director General of the Ministry of Health George Taleo. “If the trial shows that vaccine delivery using drones can work, and that it can be integrated into our existing national and provincial systems, then it will change the way we operate forever. If it works, we will allow us to better ensure availability of health supplies to our people even at community aid post levels.”
The Government of Vanuatu and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) are partnering to launch what the United Nations said may be the Pacific's first-ever trial of drones to deliver life-saving vaccines to inaccessible remote communities in the island nation.
UNICEF Pacific Representative Sheldon Yett said: “UNICEF is excited to work with the Government of Vanuatu to support this initiative. Ensuring vaccines are consistently available in isolated and remote communities is one of the keys to sustaining high rates of immunisation. We welcome innovative measures to ensure that every child is reached.”
The Government is inviting applications (click here) from companies to test their remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS) technology for transportation of cargo. Successful applicants will be assessed for a long-term engagement with the Government.
An archipelago of 83 islands that run 1,600 km north to south, 65 of which are inhabited and around 20 of which have airfields and established roads, Vanuatu faces considerable logistical challenges to reach, engage with and support remote communities, said the UN.
This initiative is intended to explores options that allow the Government to enhance service delivery and reduce costs, as it does not require major investment in infrastructure and transport.
“This is a milestone for Vanuatu,” said Director General of the Ministry of Health George Taleo. “If the trial shows that vaccine delivery using drones can work, and that it can be integrated into our existing national and provincial systems, then it will change the way we operate forever. If it works, we will allow us to better ensure availability of health supplies to our people even at community aid post levels.”