Flying to the World’s Poorest Country — Aviation Means Survival

Why It Matters

Because South Sudan’s humanitarian aid depends on air transport, disruptions or underinvestment in aviation directly affect millions of vulnerable people, making the sector a strategic priority for donors and policymakers.

Key Takeaways

• UN World Food Programme runs largest humanitarian air fleet globally.
• Air transport is essential due to South Sudan's lack of roads.
• ANHAS operates short‑takeoff aircraft for remote, unpaved strips.
• Juba airport handles high traffic of aid planes despite security risks.
• Aviation faces accidents, extreme heat, and minimal infrastructure challenges.

Summary

The video follows a traveler’s journey from Nairobi to Juba, South Sudan, to document how aviation underpins humanitarian operations in the world’s poorest nation.

He discovers that the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) runs ANHAS, the largest humanitarian air service on the planet, ferrying food, medicine and personnel to remote villages that lack roads, rail or navigable rivers. The narrator flies on a 737‑800 to Juba, then observes twin‑engine STOL aircraft and a fleet of UN‑marked planes that routinely operate from makeshift airstrips.

Key moments include a runway change from 13 to 31, a captain’s explanation of “holes” used to lose altitude, and Captain Pascal’s demonstration of a Swiss‑registered short‑take‑off aircraft capable of landing on grass. The narrator notes the crowded Juba airport, the restrictive security environment, and the stark contrast between modern jets and abandoned, sun‑bleached wrecks.

These observations highlight aviation’s role as a critical lifeline in South Sudan, where conflict and infrastructure gaps make ground delivery impossible. Understanding these logistics informs donors, policymakers and private‑sector partners about the high operational costs and safety risks inherent in delivering aid by air.

Original Description

I fly from Nairobi to Juba in the cockpit of Kenya Airways Boeing 737-800, arriving in South Sudan, the world’s youngest and poorest country. Without aviation, the country simply stops.

I follow the Kenya Airways Boeing 737-800 pilots in the cockpit on a short but high-workload flight into one of Africa’s most challenging aviation environments. Upon arrival, I’m surprised to find Juba Airport packed with fascinating aircraft.

My host for this journey is the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). While Juba appears calm on the surface, the security situation remains complex, and photography is heavily restricted. With the support of the UN and the country’s media department, I was granted special permission to document aviation operations on the ground.

The next morning, my aviation adventure truly begins. Aircraft of all types line up at Juba Airport, ready to depart. I soon learn why — South Sudan is the single largest operating theatre of UNHAS, the world’s largest humanitarian air service run by the UN World Food Programme.

✈️ Why is aviation in South Sudan so unique?

* The country has only about 200 km of paved roads

* During the rainy season, many roads become completely impassable

* Aviation doesn’t complement transport here — it replaces roads

* Humanitarian flights far outnumber commercial services

In short: Without aviation, South Sudan stops.

Here, flying is not a luxury — it is essential for survival and development. But aviation in South Sudan also faces serious challenges. I encounter evidence of past aircraft accidents, abandoned airplanes on airfields, and learn that airspace above 24,000 feet is uncontrolled — adding further complexity to operations.

👉 In the next episode, I follow the UN World Food Programme teams deeper into the country, witnessing firsthand how aviation delivers food, medical aid, and hope to some of the most remote communities on Earth. Don’t miss it — this is aviation at its most critical.