Kathmandu, Feb. 21 -- In a landmark initiative, the world's 10 leading airlines have joined UNICEF in its Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative to the airlift of Covid-19 vaccines, essential medicines, medical devices and other critical supplies to respond to the pandemic.

The Humanitarian Airfreight Initiative will also be deployed to deliver the first batch of COVAX fundedvaccines to Nepalthis month. UNICEF is working with the supplier, airlines, and the Ministry of Health and Population to finalise the procurement and delivery to Nepal of 2.2 million doses of Covishield vaccines from India, and to ensure cold chain safety and rapid vaccine distribution to vaccination sites across the country.

The Initiative will also act as a global log...