Fighting Ebola with Aircraft
INSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo — MAF is supporting efforts to combat the deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Our aircraft are being used to transport medical personnel and supplies into the remote Boende district of the DRC. According to the DRC Minister of Health, 59 cases of Ebola have been confirmed in the area, including 32 deaths.
In the past two weeks, MAF has conducted several flights 
to the Boende area in support of the Ebola efforts. There are no paved roads from Kinshasa to the outbreak site, but MAF is able to use Boende’s small airstrip to deliver medical personnel as well as quarantine equipment, personal protective kits, medication and syringes. We have also carried specimens out to Kinshasa for testing.
MAF has nine aircraft in four areas of the DRC—in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Bunia, and Nyankunde. From these bases we fly to remote regions of the vast country, using small, rugged airstrips to serve isolated communities. In the DRC MAF supports the work of some 170 churches, medical organisations, relief agencies, and 
others seeking to make life better for those who live in the DRC’s jungles.
Last year MAF conducted 1,151 medical-related flights in the DRC, including emergency medical evacuations and delivery of vaccines and medicines.
This is not the first time that MAF has responded to Ebola threats.
In the 2007 and 1995 outbreaks in the DRC, our planes and people played a key role. We are experienced in such situations and have a plan in place to minimise the risk. MAF’s Ebola Pandemic Management Plan contains procedures for safely carrying people, materials, and specimens to and from Ebola hot zones.
We’d love your prayers as this work is carried out.