MAF delivers Ebola relief in the DRC

To combat a deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), MAF pilots and aircraft are transported medical personnel and supplies into the remote Boende district.

In a statement released on 2 September 2014, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said 53 cases of Ebola have been identified in Boende, including 31 deaths. 'So far we have conducted two flights into Boende,' said Nick Frey, MAF Programme Manager in DRC. 'There is a small airstrip in the area that we can use to deliver medical personnel and supplies such as personal protective equipment, medication, syringes, and quarantine equipment. We have also carried specimens out to Kinshasa for testing.'

This outbreak is thought to be a different strain of Ebola to the West Africa outbreak which has now claimed more than 1,900 lives.

MAF has nine aircraft in four areas of DRC — in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Bunia, and Nyankunde. From these bases they fly to remote regions of the vast country, using small, rugged airstrips to serve isolated communities.

In 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 vast jungles.'MAF has been involved in Ebola response several times,' said John Boyd, President and CEO of MAF USA. '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 control the risk.'Last year MAF conducted 1,152 medical-related flights in the DRC, including medical emergency flights and delivery of vaccines and medicines.

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