Word from the Program Manager

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2 Word from the Program Manager I would like to express my gratefulness to our partners in Bangladesh that have made it possible for MAF Air Support to operate this past year. More than any other year in our 13 year history in Bangladesh, this past year of 9, MAF has been able to greatly assist people in need. This was made evident during our response in post cyclone Alia relief and rehabilitation efforts. MAF assisted in helping to immediately transport humanitarian and relief workers directly into the southern Bangladesh areas where they could provide much needed help. MAF also provided much needed flight support to the floating hospitals of the country, taking doctors and health care professionals directly to rural and remote areas. MAF also helped to provide numerous Air Ambulance flights within the country. These emergency flights enabled people in critical need to be brought to hospitals within Dhaka. I would like to thank the Government of Bangladesh for all the good cooperation over the past year. Also, I would like to thank the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB), Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Air Headquarter, Air Intelligence, DGFI, NSI, Special Branch of Police and Directorate. Without the good cooperation, help and assistance from all these different organizations, departments and ministry s, MAF would not be able to help people in need. It is because of their support that MAF is able to operate and provide such an important service to the country. We look forward to the future of providing a good service and continued fruitful relationships with our partners. I also want to thank all of our MAF Air Support staff for sharing the vision of serving people. Our motto, Flying for Life, is not just a saying, it is our purpose of providing life saving flight support to the people of Bangladesh. Serving together, Capt. Chad Carleton Tilley Program Manager/Chief Pilot

3 MAF Bangladesh Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has been serving the people of Bangladesh since 1997 providing the country s only amphibious (able to land and take-off on water or land) flight service. With over 8, kilometers of rivers, one third of Bangladesh is covered in water. Few airports and a limited road network make much of the country very hard to access. MAF utilizes it s amphibious (water or land) aircraft to serve humanitarian, medical, and NGO organizations, allowing them to reach and assist some of the most remote areas of the country. Normally, these areas are where the need is the greatest. Journeys that can take one to two days by land transport can be achieved in around one hour flying time, of vital importance for life saving medical evacuations. The time saving enables NGOs to oerate and monitor more projects efficiently, projects they would otherwise not likely run in many of the remotest areas. MAF is a registered NGO under the name of MAF-S Air Support with the approved Gram Bangla Aviation Project. The high-wing, turbine-engined, eight passenger aircraft is fitted with a pair of floats that allow it to take off and land on water or land. The extensive river network throughout the country now allows rather than impedes access for communities in need. If there is a river or a runway in the vicinity, MAF can go there! MAF accesses over 3 hard to reach water landing sites, so that we can help your organization reach virtually any place in Bangladesh. MAF s focus is on providing help and hope to neglected remote areas where development needs are greatest. Most of flights are for aid and development organizations, government agencies and emergency medical evacuations. The operation also gives trains Bangladeshi engineers and pilots. The aircraft has proved critical in responding to natural disasters. MAF s plane was one of the first civilian aircraft to respond to people in need following the devastation wrought by cyclone Sidr and Aila. MAF Worldwide MAF is a worldwide not-for-profit team of aviation professionals providing air transport in places of deepest human need - remote places where flying is not a luxury, but a lifeline. For over 6 years, MAF has flown over rivers, jungles, mountains, swamps and deserts to bring thousands of men, women and children medical care, emergency relief, long-term development and hope.

4 Relief Operations MAF s Mission: MAF s mission is to fly light aircraft in developing countries to bring help and hope to people in need. MAF crosses barriers to reach isolated people and help development organizations who work in remote areas. We are committed to providing a reliable and efficient service with the highest safety standards based on many years of flying experience. Our operations are made possible through donations, allowing us to offer our service at subsidized rates. A key focus of MAF is providing critical support to agencies responding to natural disasters such as cyclones, floods and river bank erosion. MAF flights bring workers and supplies directly to the affected areas. From flooding in 1998, to the flooding and Cyclone Sidr in 7, to smaller floods in 8, and Cyclone Aila in 9, MAF has been reaching out to help people in need. The Government s fourth five year plan highlights the importance and urgency of mobile medical teams after floods to prevent some dangerous diseases (FFYP, Revised Draft Page XVI-1 Para 16-18). There is no substitute to the amphibian aircraft for airlifting medical teams from place to place, even when the landmass is submerged under floodwater. A large number of NGOs are working in the health sector, and MAF gives them the capability to quickly respond. Our flights also support initiatives to mitigate the impact of the disasters. Beneficiaries: The direct beneficiaries of the program are the NGOs implementing urgent relief and development projects. The indirect beneficiaries are the vulnerable Bangladeshi people living in remote areas. Provision of effective and efficient transport of those bringing aid and relief ultimately results in the delivery of better and more timely help to the people of Bangladesh. Program Activities and Objectives: Relief operations General Charters Weekly DFID sponsored flights to southern Bangladesh Air Ambulance flights (Medevacs) Hospital assistance flights Aerial survey flights Training Safety Program approvals Statistics The following stories give a small picture of how the MAF flight program is serving disaster response, rebuilding, and disaster mitigation efforts in Southern Bangladesh. Cyclone Alia Nearly 1 people were killed by a cyclone that ripped through Bangladesh and eastern India at the end of May 9, whilst millions remained marooned by floodwaters or living in shelters. Officials in Bangladesh moved some 5, people to temporary shelters after they left their homes to escape huge tidal waves churned by winds up to 1 kph (6 mph). In Bangladesh, the worst affected area was the Satkhira district, near the port of Mongla, where a local official said 17 bodies were found in one village. Aila swept many areas still recovering from Cyclone Sidr (November 7), which killed 3,5 people in Bangladesh and made at least a million homeless. MAF flew quite a few flights to the cyclone-hit area, in support of the relief effort. Pilot Rune Karlsson reports on one flight to Assasuni: There is a big need for water purifying tablets and food. Thousands of houses are destroyed. Many embankments are broken, water is

5 streaming everywhere and houses are washed away. When we landed, several hundreds people meet the airplane. The beach is covered in mud and extremely slippery. I could hardly walk as I walked along an embankment next to the river, people everywhere were asking for food and water. I felt quite helpless, since I could not do anything. It is quite amazing that in spite of the tragedy, people are still smiling in Bangladesh. The Presbyterian Church had a team that we picked up to go to Dhaka. They had been in the area for two days to identify the greatest needs. There is much for MAF to do. Without the airplane it is very hard to reach these remote areas. User story from BRAC: After Cyclone Aila stuck the whole communication system of affected areas was destroyed. Moreover it was quite impossible to reach some remote areas although the population of those areas was severely affected by the cyclone. Besides, a large portion of embankment was washed away by the tidal surge of Cyclone Aila and these areas were entirely flooded by saline water. Though the population of affected areas was passing a miserable life, different government and non-government organizations had failed to contact with them as well as support them instantly just after hitting the cyclone due to cumbersome and damaged communication system. Considering the situation, BRAC took help of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) that played a crucial role by flying in teams to assess the situation immediately following the disaster. Even under normal conditions, this area is very difficult to reach by road and water way, BRAC reached there with the help of MAF. As seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing (alighting) on water, BRAC has got advantage to reach Aila affected area to oversee the situation and to provide support as well as guideline according to observation. Therefore, BRAC is grateful to MAF for their support and continuous service to reach the Aila effected remote areas. As of today, many communities in the Aila affected areas are still muddy and inundated with water due to daily tidal cycles. The monsoon season has come about to start; yet, many people continue to live in makeshift shelters. People are still living on the embankments under rough conditions, waiting to return to their homes once the breached points of the embankments are repaired. BRAC DECC recently organized a field visit to the Aila affected areas for the Honerable Minister of Disaster Management and Relief ministry, and associated government officials and BRAC. By observing BRAC DECC activities, the minister agreed to lend a hand of cooperation to BRAC and encouraged people to involve themselves with the DECC initiatives and adopt them. This visit became successful due to transportation support of MAF and they succeeded to visit different areas of Aila affected areas as well as support of BRAC DECC. Therefore, MAF makes BRAC s initiatives, connections and communication more effective and quicker, which ultimately accelerates the disaster management activities of the organization for the affected population. Long after the storm, the effects of Cyclone Sidr in November 7 are still felt in southern Bangladesh, where post-disaster rehabilitation work is ongoing. MAF s Stephanie Gidney reports, Action Contre la Faim (ACF, Action Against Hunger ) and SANGRAM (Sangathita Gramunnyan Karmoshuchee), in the Barguna district, are conducting post-disaster rehabilitation work. This consists of a food security programme (boat building and agriculture) and a shelter programme. The food security programme identified 17 villages affected by Cyclone Sidr where its full support was required. Some 35 households are benefitting from the agricultural part of the programme. MAF continues to provide many flights for agencies involved in the redevelopment of this coastal area. MAF is most valuable for its emergency response capabilities. During an emergency, the first step is the first assessment. So for MAF, I think one of the goals is to have the capacity to fly and to do the first assessment, see where the main damage is and the most affected areas. And also, they can do it right after the first moment. Time is gold. ACF frequently flys with MAF, as the Barguna district, where ACF operates, is very isolated. They describe the alternative: First, we would take a car to Barisal, a three-hour drive. It s quite risky to travel by car in Bangladesh as there are a big number of fatalities. Then, we would take a launch and travel all night (9pm to 8am), when we arrive in Dhaka. Then, just to get out of the Dhaka port area by car is two or three hours. So all this is a lot of hours and we always arrive in Dhaka too tired to work properly. Even the launch is quite risky. In winter, there is a lot of fog in the morning. They do not use high technology. The rivers are very risky flash floods and a lot of currents. It is not very safe. By MAF, from Dhaka to Barguna is 45 minutes, and then you are in your office doing your work. Time is gold! We have objectives; we have to get things done on time. To prolong all the timing is a waste. MAF really helps us to be efficient and it s safer than other methods of transportation. - ACF Bangladesh

6 General Charters Weekly DFID sponsored flights to Southern Bangladesh: MAF provides charter flights enabling relief and development agencies to carry out projects efficiently in the remotest areas of Bangladesh. MAF flights support numerous agencies providing healthcare, shelter, education, income generation, water and sanitation and civil society. Since October 8, to assist development and relief organizations working in the remote southern region, MAF and UKAid have partnered to provide regular twice-weekly shuttle flight service. NGO staff can be dropped at a project site in the morning or be picked up and return to Dhaka. These flights stop at two to four destinations depending on need, and were an integral part of agencies responding quickly to the recent Cyclone Aila. On a recent flight for UKAid (DFID), MAF flew Ed Miliband, MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, and Douglas Alexander, MF, Secretary of State for International Development. The flight with MAF enabled them to see first hand the country s vulnerability to flooding and climate extremes and to meet those people living in the areas most affected by these changes. We would also like to commend the vital work the MAF does in Bangladesh, which the UK is proud to support. You provide a crucial lifeline for local NGOs helping the poor and remote and through your provision of medical evacuation. The relief you deliver to remote populations hit by flood or cyclone saves many lives. -Ed Miliband, MP, Douglas Alexander, MF A quote from Solidarites International: Solidarités International has been operational in Bangladesh since the end of 7, after the SIDR cyclone and is currently implementing water, sanitation, hygiene and shelter projects in the area heavily affected by the cyclone AILA with the support of the European Commission for Humanitarian Aid and the French Foreign Ministry. Through the assistance of MAF we have been able to use our human resources much more efficiently as we spend less time travelling to the remote project areas. The saved time leads to a better assistance to the affected population. Solidarités International is very grateful for the service provided by MAF and looks forward for a fruitful future relationship between our organizations for the benefit of the victims of natural disasters. A quote from Action Aid Bangladesh: The DFID funded MAF Bangladesh flight has opened up a new dimension in traveling to the southern part of Bangladesh for Action Aid Bangladesh (AAB). AAB has many projects, both long-term and short-term, in the southern part (Patuakhali) of Bangladesh and previously, it was hard to reach that part. It usually takes 13 to 16 hours of journey by bus or river boat. Now, the regular service of MAF Bangladesh gave AAB the opportunity to travel to Patuakhali with no hassle and spending minimum time which allowed AAB to provide programmatic and management support to the projects when necessary, using minimum time and cost. It helps us to work efficiently and effectively. An endorsement from Helen Keller International, Oliver Wakelin: Before Helen Keller International started using the services of the MAF plane I spent an incredible amount of time on the road. It was definitely not the most efficient way of spending my work hours. Now the time is spent on what I actually should be doing, working directly with the development projects I am in charge of in the rural areas.

7 Air Ambulance Flights (Medevacs) Hospital Assistance Flights MAF has provided over 35 air ambulance/medevac flights since our program started. A number of medical projects, including two floating hospitals, depend upon MAF flights to transport medical supplies and volunteer doctors and surgeons, saving them valuable time and increasing the number of surgeries they perform. MAF continues to provide medevac service to evacuate critical patients from remote places to hospitals within Dhaka. MAF s aircraft can accommodate up to two stretchers. In addition to the medevac service, MAF has a road ambulance to transport patients from the airport quickly to a Dhaka hospital. Chad Tilley, Country Director for MAF in Bangladesh and Chief Pilot, shares a recent medevac story: Our staff ran up and started knocking on my apartment door, saying, We have a request for a medical emergency flight and the gentleman is downstairs. They need our help. The man was a major in the Bangladesh army. He explained, A family member has just had a baby and the baby is dying. I have seen your hangar across the field, and it says Flying for Life. I have seen you are here to help people in the country. Can you help me? I asked where the baby lived. He pulled out a map and said, I haven t visited my home in about 1 to 15 years, but it s on this river. I told him we would work out the co-ordinates and he was to call his relatives and tell them to wave red flags when they saw the plane overhead. So we took off with the major on board and flew south. We got over this big vast river network at 5ft. As I looked out, with rivers stretching in every direction, I had a bad feeling that we were never going to find this person. We circled over one location, then another and another. I silently prayed, God, please help us find this child. About then, as I turned and banked the aircraft, we looked down and saw red flags waving. The major s mobile started ringing and he exclaimed, They can see us, it s them down there! Story from MAF Pilot, Rune Karlsson: There was a call late one afternoon for a medical flight to Chittagong. It is a one-hour flight to the south. It was almost dark when we took off from Dhaka. We had a really good tail wind so the flight lasted only 5 minutes. We had to wait for a while before they let the ambulance into the airport. An elderly lady was suffering from a stroke and kidney problems. Her condition was serious: she would not have survived the six-hour road ambulance transport to Dhaka. We landed and pulled into the riverbank. Thousands of people came out from the village. I could see the family coming with the baby in their arms. As the boat came alongside the aircraft, the mother handed me her baby. I stood with this baby in my arms and realised what trust she has in us. She had given me her most precious treasure on earth. We flew the mother and baby to Dhaka, where the baby went to the hospital. The major visited us a week later, giving thanks to MAF for saving this baby s life. Friendship Floating Hospital: Through its services, MAF provides valuable support to a central component of our work, which is providing medical services through our two hosptal ships. Specialized health camps are conducted in the two hospital ships throughout the year when local and foreign volunteer doctors come from abroad. Due to the inaccessibility through common means to the location of the ships, these medical teams are often transported by MAF flights. MAF also arranges administrative flights for our staff and guests to our work areas in both northern and southern Bangladesh. Impact Foundation Bangladesh: MAF has been supporting IFB for the last couple of years by carrying IFB s medical team in a shortest time and in a convenient way to Impact s hospitals. It has been very helpful to IFB for transportation of medical volunteer, supporters to remote rural locations of Jibon Tari floating hospital. Without MAF s support, it would have been difficult to mobilize such resources to serve the under-served poor people of the riverside. MAF flights are used to mobilize surgeons from home and abroad to perform surgeries like eye, ENT, plastic and orthopedic etc. to Jibon Tari. MAF also donated free flight during the disaster period to take emergency help to the affected areas. Impact Foundation Bangladesh is greatful to MAF air support for their continued support. Since the beginning of its work in Bangladesh, MAF has flown over 766 flights, bringing doctors, nurses, and health care professionals directly into rural villages where people are in need of medical care. Overseas surgeon is performing orthopaedic surgery at Jibon Tari Surgeons from USA performed plastic surgery at Jibon Tari

8 Aerial Survey Flights Training In addition to its flight services, MAF contributes to the development of general aviation in Bangladesh through special pilot and engineering programs. MAF works in cooperation with local aviation academies towards the development of aviation within Bangladesh. Assessment of post disaster damage and/or loss is extremely important in order to ensure efficient disaster management and emergency relief activities. Aerial survey plays a crucial role in these assessments. MAF flights provide an immediate aerial perspective of flooding and damage due to natural causes. This allows organizations to get the big picture so they can coordinate relief efforts effectively. Over-flight surveys also allow organizations to see the land and area where they will be working, making their planning more effective. Flight simulator: One of MAF s objectives is the development of pilot skills in the aviation sector in Bangladesh. Using a flight simulator, MAF staff have trained about 3 Pilots, who are presently working in different airlines in Bangladesh or engaged with aviation in Bangladesh. MAF partners with the Bangladesh flying academy, allowing students to use the flight simulator to increase the effectiveness of their training. This simulator provides training in instrument procedures on a variety of aircraft types, as well as exposure and practice to a world-wide selection of airports and countries. Engineer training: MAF strives to provide hands on practical experience for Bangladeshi aircraft engineers who have passed their AME theoretical exams. Currently, one of our engineers, Rajib, is in the process of taking his final engineering exams.

9 Safety Statistics for the Flight Program In 9 the MAF aircraft flew a total of 667 flights, 471 hours, and carried,345 passengers. This is an increase over the 8 statistics of 435 flights, 3 hours and 1,669 passengers and the 7 statistics of 366 flights, 8 hours and 1,85 passengers. Passenger and flight numbers have nearly doubled over the last two years. Senior CAAB officers visited the MAF hangar, aircraft and facilities for inspection in anticipation of the renewal of MAF s AOC (Aircraft Operators Certificate). After the visit, the Director of CAAB stated, MAF is the model example for all other operators in the country to follow. All MAF documents are maintained in accordance with ICAO and JAR which are approved by Bangladesh CAAB. Our operations manual system is in line with the JAR Ops system. MAF s operations team and administrative team received detailed training on the working of the JAR Ops system and manual arrangement. Program Approvals MAF-S Air Support is registered as a foreign NGO (Reg.No:933) in Bangladesh on MAF-S AS received the Provisional Air Transport Operating License on MAF s aircraft was ferried to Dhaka from Sweden on Flight commenced with emergency clearance given by CAAB due to Cyclone of May 19,1997 for aerial survey carried out by Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. MAF AS holds an ATOL (Air Transport Operating License) for operations in Bangladesh from Gram Bangla Aviation Project. Gram Bangla Aviation is a five year project of MAF Air Support approved by NGOAB (ABBU/A-4/MAF/53-4/ dated /1/97) which started 1st January The second five-year phase started 1st January (ABBU/A-4/MAF/53-6/1-694 dated 3/1/1). MAF is in the third phase of this project which runs through December 11 (ABBU/A-4/MAF-Sweden/53-9/6-93 dated 16/1/6).

10 Organizations Using MAF Services MAF flys for over 1 organizations which include governments, large and small NGOs (international and local), individuals (Bangladeshis on Medevacs) and others involved in development work. a few organizations using MAF services: Large NGOs: Save the Children Medical Southern Shuttle Air Ambulance NGO/Community Development Cyclone/ Flood Economic Development Other International Red Cross Small NGOs: WOD Trust Acid Survivors Foundation Integrated Rural Health and Development Special Projects: Governments: Bangladesh Ministers Foreign Embassies European Commission

11 Southern Shuttle Statistics Southern Shuttle Organizations Save the Children Save the Children USA Bholas Children Food for the Hungry RRMAIDP, Protibondhi School LGED YWAM Bangladesh Netherlands LUTHERAN HEALTH CARE BANGLADESH Patuakhali Science & Technology Institute Working for Better Life (WBL) CSS Christian Service Society Bangladesh SLOPB Bangladesh Sangram Management and Resources Development Institute JOBS IFRRCS HEED Bangladesh

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