CYCLONE FREDDY RESPONSE

Medair and Doctors Without Borders chartered a MAF plane to fly to the south of the island where Cyclone Freddy, which hit Madagascar with wind gusts reportedly exceeding 130km/h (81mph), caused most damage. Cyclone Freddy lasted five weeks and affected people in Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Freddy was the longest-lasting cyclone ever recorded worldwide.

Representatives of Doctors Without Borders, went to Manakara where the organisation is working on a nutrition project. After last year’s passage of Cyclone Batsirai, as well as Cyclone Freddy, many of the rice fields and livestock in the region were destroyed, worsening the nutritional situation in the south. Doctors Without Borders decided to focus on providing medical care to those suffering from severe acute malnutrition. There are few options to fly to Manakara but the representatives said that MAF, which has flown Doctors Without Borders for many years, was the quickest to respond.

DWB Representatives said of MAF: “I was impressed by your reactivity for our reservation and all the preparations. We even received tickets and all, it’s very professional.”

“It’s always such a pleasure to fly with MAF!”

“It is thanks to our collaboration with MAF and your quick responses, that we can do our humanitarian work and help those in need.”