Since January, twelve MAF flights have transported 35 Congolese and European humanitarian health workers to Tshikapa, 350 miles east of Kinshasa, in response to a measles epidemic. From there, workers travel overland to outlying communities.
Measles is a viral disease affecting mostly children. It can cause complications such as pneumonia, malnutrition, severe dehydration, ear and eye infections that can lead to blindness.
According to Médecins Sans Frontières, measles can kill as many as 15% of the children it infects, although that figure could rise to 25% in areas with limited access to healthcare.
The epidemic has already claimed 210 lives. Reports suggest the virus has spread beyond a few rural areas to cities. It is feared it will now move beyond five provinces to the rest of the country.
The DRC is a vast nation – 10 times larger than the UK – but has less than 1% of the amount of paved roads the UK has. During the rainy seasons roads can become impassable. Because of the weak infrastructure and the vast expanses of rainforest, aircraft are the sole means of transport to most of the country.
Many rural areas lack any access to healthcare. Our planes are a vital solution in the efforts to combat the spread of the disease and to prevent children from dying.
MAF has six aircraft based in western DRC and two in the east.