28 September 2011
As MAF continues to fly aid workers to and from northern Kenya, MAF pilot Adrian Rose reflects on the events surrounding the famine:
The second half of July till the end of August was our home assignment time in the UK. We had only just left Kenya when the famine situation became fully apparent in East Africa. Two pilots were almost requested to return to Kenya but at the last minute an extra aircraft and crew was flown up from South Africa and a pilot who recently left came back for an extra month. So we were able to continue our UK trip as planned.
During that time MAF Kenya has been helping in the famine relief effort in a few ways. A
new shuttle service has been set up twice-weekly to Dadaab, 250 miles northeast of Nairobi. Here there is a small town and a major refugee camp. The shuttle is frequented by organisations including World Concern, the Lutheran World Federation and Samaritan's Purse. People often assume we carry food. Well we do sometimes, but in a large scale famine a small aeroplane can only begin to supply the need.
MAF aircraft are carrying personnel who are involved with distribution, pastoral care, medics and medical supplies.
To quote one worker on seeing refugees, "... people arrive with mostly nothing, but they still have the dignity that God has given all of us made in His image. God is calling us to love our neighbours…"
It felt very strange being in the UK with its abundance of food and other "stuff" flowing out of every shop and website. All the time knowing what millions were experiencing in Africa. Even in Nairobi we have access to plenty of goods to buy. Yet only a flight away in the same country so many are suffering.
A colleague here reported a feeling of helplessness at just being the pilot of the aeroplane.
Lord God how do I even begin to help?
One flight was chartered by local churches in Nairobi to carry over a tonne of food collected for the people of the Turkana region around Lodwar in Northern Kenya. The recipients sent a letter back expressing their gratitude that others were praying and caring for them.
As South Sudan settles into independence it too suffers the same food shortages. Even though there has been a good rain season the infrastructure just does not support getting food to people in need. MAF has been flying many tonnes of "Plumpy'nut" food bars to stricken areas. This food just keeps some children from starving. Just.
We’re now back in Kenya doing our part. Thank you for helping us share God’s love with our neighbours.