One year after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, MAF continues to fly vital supplies, aid workers and physical rebuilding of the crippled nation.
Following the January 2010 earthquake, in November Haiti was hit by hurricane Tomas, whose floods intensified an outbreak of cholera which has killed an estimated 3,300 people. Amid the destruction, political upheaval has added to the already weakened infrastructure.
“This has been a year of tragedy for Haiti and MAF has been there from the beginning, standing alongside the Haitian people, and doing all we can to improve the situation,'' said John Boyd, CEO of MAF US.
MAF has a base at Port-au-Prince airport, serving some 16 airstrips in Haiti, and has since added a fourth plane to the fleet in order to meet the continued demand for aid and supplies.
“MAF’s role has increased exponentially because the infrastructure has been so compromised. Our services have become paramount to the rebuilding process of Haiti. Every week we are called upon to transport work teams and building supplies or special equipment like water purification systems,” Boyd says.
There are still at least one million people living in tent cities. MAF had a recent opportunity to minister in a different way by building 26 pre-fabricated homes for affected families, funded by generous donations.
Former US President Bill Clinton stated, "By organising hundreds of relief flights and delivering thousands of pounds of supplies, you’ve had a critical impact on Haiti’s recovery."
January will be a month of remembrance and of healing for the people of Haiti. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, in conjunction with 500 Haitian churches, has already hosted a rally with Franklin Graham in Haiti’s national soccer stadium. Haiti for Christ is also holding a rally on the anniversary of the earthquake in front of the national palace which was demolished by the disaster.
David Carwell, Program Manager for Haiti, said that while the number of Haitians responding to the Gospel has declined since the days immediately following the earthquake, the country remains open to the Gospel message as people are still searching for answers.
Will you join MAF in prayer as we continue to support the people of Haiti?