UNICEF announced on Monday it is working with major global airlines and freight providers to step up efforts to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to over 92 countries around the world as soon as vaccines become available.

In a statement issued by the UN organization, UNICEF said together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), they briefed major global airlines last week on the expected capacity requirements and discussed ways to transport close to two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021.

This is in addition to the one billion syringes that need to be transported by sea-freight, the statement read.

UNICEF said in collaboration with PAHO, it will coordinate the purchase and delivery for 92 low- and lower middle-income economies as quickly and securely as possible – which would include Afghanistan.

As the largest single vaccine buyer in the world, UNICEF normally procures more than two billion doses of vaccines annually for routine immunization and outbreak response on behalf of nearly 100 countries, the organization stated.

This unparalleled expertise includes the coordination of thousands of shipments with various cold chain requirements, making UNICEF an expert in supply chain management of temperature-controlled products, which is especially needed during this historic undertaking, UNICEF’s statement read.

Last month, UNICEF began a process to stockpile more than 1 billion syringes by 2021 to guarantee initial supply and pre-position in advance of COVID-19 vaccines.