Following drone strikes that left many wounded and hospitals overwhelmed, Chad’s already fragile health system has been pushed to the wall. MAF has been able to assist by transporting medical cargo to eastern Chad, where large numbers of Sudanese refugees are living.
The ongoing war in Sudan is causing a flood of refugees into neighbouring Chad. There have even been cases of attacks spreading across the border.
In the regions near Tiné, insecurity is escalating, with reports of drone strikes and armed violence, causing casualties that leave hospitals overwhelmed.
When MAF’s John Feil had come to Chad temporarily to support operations, the team received an email requiring urgent attention.
A hospital in Tiné had received over 100 wounded people in a single day following a surge in violence, and medical teams were running critically short of supplies. They needed surgical kits and essential medicines urgently, “as early as tomorrow”.
“For emergency supplies it’s a challenge as road transport takes five days,” said John. “This required an immediate response due to the nature of the emergency, number of wounded, and shortage of medical supplies.”
John noted that the situation at the border is worrying.
“There are specific threats due to insecurity – for example, drone attacks,” he said. “Also, there are many displaced people in camps in the region with limited access to clean water and food insecurity. Overcrowding leads to violent crime, including gender-based issues.”
Following the plea, John coordinated with emergency response staff, and they made a plan for delivery of freight to the airport.
We are grateful that we could contribute—in a very small way—to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the east of Chad by flying these life-giving medical supplies.
The MAF team quickly converted the aeroplane into freight configuration and performed three cargo flights.
Without these supplies it would have been impossible to care for and treat wounded following the insecurity. Road transportation over the 1000 km from N’Djamena to Iriba is extremely time-consuming, making the MAF flight very necessary.
“We can respond very rapidly to emergency situations,” said John. “We have skilled and experienced pilots and ops staff who are able to assess and manage risk, make quick decisions and often mobilise within hours if necessary.”
MAF’s Country director in Chad, Esmara, was humbled that MAF was taking part in the rapid response, and able to be part of providing solutions to those suffering in Sudan.
“It was amazing to see how we could get all the seats out the Caravan and fill all the space with the much-needed medical supplies,” she said. “We are grateful that we could contribute—in a very small way—to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the east of Chad by flying these life-giving medical supplies.”
The final flight included equipment for a mobile operating theatre to treat patients with major trauma.
“You guys being able to load everything in the plane is a big win for the team in Tiné,” said a representative of the humanitarian organisation running the hospital. “I would also like to thank you for your collaboration. I’ve never had such a quick response and action on our urgent cargo.”