We were there on the spot. You heard it on the

news – disasters around the world. Thank God we

could do something . . . 

NICARAGUA – After the Hurricane

Hurricane Felix struck the Northern coast of Nicaragua fiercely in September late last year with gusts up to 160 m/h.  Livestock were blown away in the wind, and people were roped together for safety. The total damage was devastating:

• 67 people killed
• 11 people missing
• 10,000 homes damaged, 8,000 of which were totally destroyed

Medication, clean water, food, black plastic, candles and torches were urgently needed, but road bridges were smashed and coastal areas completely isolated. “Can MAF come and help?”  The cry from Nicaragua was desperate.  MAF was swift in response. 

A partnership of MAF, the Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua, Operation Blessing and Mission Flights International (MFI) soon swung into action, with an MAF plane coming in from Mexico, and MFI sending out its turbine-powered DC3.  At the temporary base – the coastal airport of Puerto Cabezas – MAF officials helped handle relief goods.  The planes delivered blankets, clothing, beans, rice, flour, corn, plastic sheeting and medical supplies.  The military supplied all necessary fuel free of charge.  Altogether, 31 flights brought welcome aid to Nicaragua, carrying over 25 tons of urgent supplies for the many grateful victims of hurricane Felix. 

UGANDA – Beating the Weather

 Northern and Eastern Uganda were continually lashed by a continuous rain, which washed away bridges and cut huge gaps in roads.  Air transport was the only way into the heart of the disaster.   Four MAF aircraft made 17 flights in one week, speeding help to the half-million people affected.  The planes often had to battle the weather, as they crossed the worst-hit of 17 African countries. Fears of infection and a growing risk of malaria followed the devastating floods, and planes delivered food, clean water and purifying tablets.  

Dr Taketo from Japan, was working alongside the Comboni Sisters.  They scoured shops in Kampala buying 2,000kg of relief items.  These were delivered in 2 flights from Kajjansi to Morulem.  Survival kits, which included much-needed mosquito nets, were distributed to 1,100 families.  Each flight took 24 minutes – if delivered by road, had the journey been possible, the desperate people would have had to wait 5 days. 

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – Killer Virus

Ebola is a deadly virus that has no known cure.  Symptoms include severe stomach pain and internal bleeding.  In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the outbreak, which resulted in 200 deaths, occurred in a highly forested area with isolated villages.  These villages are only connected by rutted dirt roads, and planes became vital for transport.

MAF planes were quick to respond, carrying medical experts and over 3 tons of equipment in an effort to contain the effects.  Aircraft also took personal protection suits, soap, bleach and other supplies to an isolated Presbyterian mission centre. Whenever an aircraft landed, pilot and passengers had to be careful not to shake hands with the hundreds of children and adults who greeted them, for fear of catching and spreading the highly contagious virus. 

MAF also flew in a complete field laboratory, enabling specialists to give instant verification of Ebola from a drop of blood.  This saved the necessity of sending the samples to laboratories in Atlanta or Gabon.  As the epidemic waned, MAF began discussion with mission agencies that are eager to establish facilities to help meet the spiritual needs of people whose lives have been devastated. 

BANGLADESH – Escalating Predicament

Last year, Bangladesh was repeatedly ravaged, with disastrous results.  Flooding, storm and cyclone - all descended with a vengeance, following hard on each-other’s heels.  

August

•  Most areas affected by floods.
•  Diarrhoea and cholera prevalent.
•  MAF flies in experts from agencies such as Baptist Global Response to assess priority needs. 

•  Floods highest for 30 years.
•  Crops under water.
•  MAF makes survey and relief flights to Jamuna River district. 

• A storm strikes.
• 100 fishermen lost at sea – many ships lost also.
• One fisherman and his wife are saved by roping themselves together for 7 hours.
• MAF flies for 2 days helping with search and rescue.
• MAF’s amphibious Caravan was essential for Friendship’s floating hospital in Gaibandha.  Here, wind picked up utility boat and houseboat, slamming them back into the water and effectively sinking them.
• An MAF aircraft delivers medical specialists and materials providing clean water.  

November

• Sidr – the deadliest cyclone to hit the region in 10 years.  This follows the worst flooding.
• In Patharghata, a cyclone wave up to 25 feet is reported.  It washes in, then suddenly pulls back out to sea, dragging with it thousands of people and hundreds of animals and homes.
• Death toll over 3,000.
• 500,000 houses destroyed.
• 2 million acres of farmland contain valuable crops, ready for harvest – all are wiped out.
• Debris and fallen trees make surface travel impossible.
• MAF fields 250 phone calls in one day.
• Survey flight to worst-hit areas for UNDP and UNICEF.
• MAF flying from morning to evening.
• Only other civilian aircraft helping is a commercial helicopter.
• Chad Tilley introduces himself to an army major as pilot of the MAF seaplane.  The major responds: ‘No, Captain Chad. The people of this country call the aircraft “Sea Angel”.’  

 Ø    These articles and more can be found in “MAF News – the magazine of Mission Aviation Fellowship.” Issue: March – May 2008.