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The Haiti Earthquake - MAF’s Response |
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On 12 January 2010, to the shock of everybody within MAF and the world
in general, a massive earthquake struck the small island nation of
Haiti.
Measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale, the quake killed over 150,000 people and flattened thousands of buildings in the capital Port-au-Prince and outlying areas.
Initially it was necessary for some MAF families to be evacuated. At the same time, it became clear that a small team of strategic staff was needed in Haiti as soon as possible.
Within 48 hours a MAF team had been assembled on the ground in Port-au-Prince headed by Disaster Response Manager John Woodberry. A fully co-ordinated response effort then got underway.
MAF's Disaster Response Manager in Haiti, John Woodberry, helps unload vital supplies from a Samaritan's Purse aid flight in the MAF hangar.
The team worked to establish a communications structure for the swift delivery of aid and began to prepare the three Haiti-based aircraft for relief flights as soon as clearances were received from local authorities.
The three aircraft were then joined by a MAF US 10-seat Kodiak. The Kodiak was on its way to Papua for routine work but was swiftly diverted when news of the urgent needs in Haiti became apparent. It was put to work immediately as an air ambulance.
"MAF has been ministering in Haiti since 1986," said MAF US President John Boyd.
"We know the country, the culture and the language. This experience and knowledge will be invaluable to groups coming to Haiti to help. What's more, MAF will continue to minister here in the months and years following this disaster."
MAF pilot Will White, right, and mission director Dan Irvine with a little girl whose feet were badly crushed in the earthquake. Will was able to connect the girl with a team of orthopaedic surgeons who just "happened" to be waiting for him in Port-au-Prince to board his next flight. The doctors carried out an immediate examination and arranged for her to be taken directly to hospital in Pignon.
Among other developments:
• The MAF hangar at Port-au-Prince Airport was quickly made available as a logistics point for aid flights including a flight by Christian aid group Samaritan's Purse that delivered over 11,000 kilograms of relief supplies just days after the quake;
• MAF flights commenced quickly, transporting seriously injured patients to hospital and delivering aid agency personnel to outlying areas struck by the quake;
• MAF responded to an urgent request from the United Nations (UNDAC) for use of our inflatable GATR VSAT communications system to aid search and recue groups. By 20 January two groups - Instead and MapAction - were making good use of the GATR system to help co-ordinate relief efforts.
By late January and into February it was clear that MAF's aviation, logistics and communications services were proving invaluable as part of a massive international relief effort. Endorsements and messages of thanks began to arrive at the MAF communications centre in Port-au-Prince. Some are included with this report.
The MAF GATR VSAT communications system in action, aiding search and rescue (SAR) groups in Haiti following an urgent appeal from the United Nations.
If you have inquiries about the long-term involvement of MAF in Haiti or would like to take the opportunity to support the worldwide relief and development operations of MAF, please contact us on 1800 650 169.
And above all, please pray...for those in Haiti who have lost everything in this devastating natural disaster and for the MAF staff responding to urgent needs, often in the most difficult and emotionally stressful situations.
Thank you MAF!"Without MAF, our ministry here to those in need in Jesus' name would not be possible. MAF has been a constant source of hope for all the relief organisations trying to get supplies and medical personnel into Haiti. For the Haitians suffering and those bringing help, the MAF flights overhead give us more reason to believe that things will recover here and that more help is on the way. For the lives that have been saved, we owe MAF an eternal debt of gratitude."
Karen H. Carr, Director of Community Coalition for Haiti
"John Woodberry has kindly allowed Operation Blessing to set up tents and use their infrastructure including water and electricity. John has co-ordinated relief flights of essential medicines used by our doctors to treat victims. Without the partnership of MAF we would not be so well positioned to respond and save lives."
David Darg, Director of International Disaster Relief, Operation Blessing.
Tax Deductible Donations for Haiti Relief can now be made through our Online Donations link here.(Update 07/05/2010 - This fund has now been closed)
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Last Updated ( Friday, 07 May 2010 )
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