Haiti update
MAF has set up a communication center at the Port-au-Prince airport, utilizing a GATR inflatable satellite system. Some 16 relief agencies are using the system.
A decision has been made to send an MAF Kodiak to Haiti. It will depart on Thursday, 21 January at 0600 local time, weather permitting, with two pilots and two mechanics. We expect that it will arrive in Haiti on Friday or Saturday.
- In response to numerous requests from local people to somehow help with the situation in Haiti, Becky Lee is investigating a partnership with a local organization to collect specific items for disaster relief.
From John Woodberry in Haiti - 18-January-10
Can you believe it has been 6 days since a massive earthquake hit Haiti? 3 days after the earthquake MAF was involved in a massive relief life line that continues to this day.
So much has happened. MAF is coordinating logistics for Missionary Flights International and other organizations. The last flight of the day was a real blessing. 26 orphans were flown out along with their escorts to meet their new parents tonight. These children were already adopted, but the earthquake stopped the process. The new families are quickly getting down to Fort Peirce to meet their new children. What a blessing to be a small part of loving and serving those with such great needs. I was also reminded of the great cost of serving and the uncertainly of life on this world. We flew out the deceased body of a Missionary Doctor that had been serving in Haiti. Short stories from the 8 flights we facilitated today - flying in over 78 critical relief workers, doctors, surgeons……….so needed… and flying 70 out, including the orphans. . 5,000 lbs of cargo. Last evening, David Hoffman arrived got the GATR VSAT system up and running - helping Operation Blessing connect and send some of their video work. We desire to serve and enable as many as missions and aid agencies as possible, so today the GATR was moved to the World Concern office. This will serve as a communication center for many of our partner agencies – WR (World Relief), WC (World Concern), FH (Food for the Hungry), MTI (Medical Teams Intl), CRWRC and many others. One of the office rooms will be set up so numerous other agencies can be served with this communication support service. What a blessing to be able to provide rapid email and data service to enable those responding communicate well. Yesterday we helped, with our partner MFI, fly in 63 surgeons, nurses and doctors along with their medical equipment and supplies. Tomorrow there are numerous other flights. One interesting thing is we have a fork lift coming and MAF will facilitate the arrival of a C130 and help with the logistics of the cargo at our hangar. MAF helping with a C130 flight.
