UN aviation agency eyes support for crash victims' families
Montreal
THE United Nations aviation agency is looking to bolster support for families of victims of air disasters as its members continue to debate strategies for preventing planes from being shot down over conflict zones or disappearing.
A recommendation that is winding its way through the Montreal-based agency would urge states to come up with concrete plans to help families of plane-crash victims, Nancy Graham, director of the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Air Navigation Bureau, said on Wednesday.
The recommendation would not be mandatory, but would "strongly recommend" states provide assistance such as helping families obtain visas to gain access to accident sites and in aiding repatriation of victims' remains. It would also urge airport operators and airlines to come up with their own plans.
"Just like any other emergency plan you need to have a readiness plan to support the families," Ms Graham said. "It is the clear intention of the organisation to send a message that we are very keen to see states take care of their citizens and other citizens." REUTERS
