Apr 12 2012
Spotlight: West Democratic Republic of Congo
You probably know that MAF operates in more than 30 countries worldwide, but I’ll bet you’d have a hard time naming those countries!
Well, over the next few weeks we want to shine the spotlight on some of those lesser known MAF operations and give you a little glimpse into what goes on.
Today we’d like to tell you a little about “MAF West Democratic Republic of Congo” (it’s a long title huh? From now on we’ll abreviate it to MAF West DRC…)
West DRC at a glance:
Programme Manager Ron Wismer leads a team of ten international staff and 31 local staff operating five aircraft from two bases.
In the past 12 months, the MAF program in West DRC executed 1,991 flights, transported 5,727 passengers and delivered 752,264 pounds of cargo.
Over 10 non-profit ministries depend on MAF to carry out their work. Click here to see who they are.
Current prayer requests: The cholera epidemic from last year has resurfaced again. Pray as MAF continues to fly medical and other groups who are involved in bringing relief to these suffering people.
The needs of West DRC:
An estimated four million people have died as a result of civil war and tribal unrest in DRC. Entire communities suffered severe food shortages and starvation and continue to remain beyond the assistance of international humanitarian organisations.
Ground travel is difficult, dangerous, and slow due to the poor state of roads and the lack of security. Local air services can be expensive and do not meet acceptable safety standards.Communications systems are unreliable and costly with no communications infrastructure available in the bush.
Other challenges include civil unrest and continued instability; thousands of refugees flowing in from neighboring countries; witchcraft; tribalism; interethnic hostility; widespread corruption; collapsed infrastructure in education, transportation, health, and financial systems; exploitation by political leaders; and the difficult global economy.
Solutions provided by MAF:
From bases in Vanga and Kinshasa in west DRC, MAF’s light aircraft and communications networks offer a valued solution to barriers created by vast distances, jungles, and ever-changing rivers. MAF sustains and multiplies the ministry efforts of missionaries, national Christian workers, social workers, and a 350-bed hospital in Vanga.
MAF pilots and planes conduct emergency medical evacuations, transport medicines from the hospital to outlying areas, deliver evangelistic materials, as well as enable training events, learning institutions, social action projects, and crisis relief.
The lack of road and transportation infrastructure throughout DRC will make MAF aviation expertise strategic for the foreseeable future.
Programme Manager Ron Rosalind Wismer
MAF communications services (VSAT and HF email communications) facilitate short-term projects and events, and link church leaders, remote centers, and outposts, though the availability and price of bandwidth provides challenges.
Though stability is returning to the region, DRC continues to be a place of great need and uncertainty. Tomorrow’s ministry opportunities will be shaped by the future level of security in the country. The fledgling, democratically elected government faces an almost insurmountable task to bring government services to the population. Business, NGO, and mission interests will be greatly affected by the function or dysfunction of the tax, administration, and regulation services of the government. The potential need for new relief and development work is vast, but will be tempered by the ability of organisations to work freely.
To support MAF in its vital work please donate today
Article source: http://www.maf.org.au/news/n/spotlight-west-democratic-republic-of-congo-120409
NATFLY is the annual gathering of several hundred light planes and pilots from across Australia, and is held at Temora, NSW. MAF were there again this year with the new Display Trailer, which drew many interested people to hear the MAF story, and were given a show bag to take home and find out a lot more. 
MAF Australia
MAF USA