Disaster relief

When disaster strikes, we act fast. We set up airlifts for relief supplies and medical teams and coordinate the distribution of aid with our partner organisations on the ground.
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Facts and figures on Kenya

This is why we fly there:

79

people

During the floods in Kenya in 2024, MAF flew people back and forth to provide support.

> 3,000

kg of relief supplies

More than three tonnes of relief and supply goods were transported to help people.

38.5

flying hours

Our pilots were fully deployed during this period and logged many hours in the air.

4

relief organisations

In 2010, about half of all children under 5 showed signs of stunted growth.

What we do

We are there when help is needed fast

In natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods, and in conflict zones, roads and bridges often become impassable. Power grids and communication links are cut too. To evacuate people, and to get medical teams, food and medicines on site in time, we fly to where others cannot get through – or can no longer.

Floods in Kenya (2024)

Flash floods claimed over 103 lives, displaced 150,000 people and affected 191,000. We flew in cholera kits, blankets and mosquito nets for 200 households, along with nutritional supplements and soap.

Earthquake in Papua New Guinea (2018)

We delivered help, supplies and medical support to those affected without pause. We coordinated centrally with the Australian Defence Force and other partner organisations.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Caribbean (2017)

We supported devastated islands such as St Martin, Barbuda and Dominica, surveying needs from the air and taking help to where it was most urgently required.

Hurricanes in Haiti (2016)

We worked with around 40 relief organisations to fly food, medicines, building materials and medical teams into the worst-affected communities of the southern peninsula.

Earthquake in Ecuador (2016)

We supported earthquake-hit areas with medical flights, carrying doctors, aid workers, medicines and supplies to places where roads and bridges had been destroyed.

Earthquake in Nepal (2015)

After the magnitude 7.8 earthquake, we worked with Fishtail Air to set up a rapid helicopter rescue operation, getting help quickly to where it was urgently needed.

News

Working for rapid help when disaster strikes

All news
Feature
02
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12
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2025

Cholera prevention in Torit, South Sudan

In 2025 the number of cholera cases in South Sudan soared – according to the UN, the worst and longest outbreak in the country's history. Thanks to MAF and Medair, thousands of people in remote areas stayed healthy.

Read the article
Feature
02
.
05
.
2025

Record rainfall cuts off communities in Arnhem Land

Record rainfall in April turned roads in East Arnhem Land into impassable rivers and cut off more than 550 people. Within 48 hours, MAF flew over 1,100 kg of food into the affected region.

Read the article
Feature
05
.
06
.
2024

Emergency aid after flooding in Kenya

In April 2024, heavy rain and flash floods in Kenya claimed more than 103 lives, displaced 150,365 people and affected a further 191,000. The floods had devastating consequences for many communities in the region.

Read the article
“In organising hundreds of rescue and supply flights carrying thousands of relief items, you played an important role in the recovery. I want you to know how much I value your commitment.”
Bill Clinton
former US President (after the earthquake in Haiti)

Victims of natural disasters and people in crisis zones should receive immediate help, whenever and wherever.

Our vision
Get involved

What you can do

If you would like to work with us for a better quality of life for cut-off communities, there are several ways to do it:

Donate

Give the amount you can and want to, and enable us to fly to cut-off places and communities to save lives.

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Sponsorship

Sponsorship makes the biggest difference. Together we strengthen the resilience of remote communities – today and for the future.

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Wills

In your will you can leave a legacy or an inheritance to organisations such as MAF. Give hope beyond your lifetime.

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Partnership

We work with companies, churches, foundations and authorities in order to achieve more. Let us make help from the air possible together.

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Fundraising

Organise your own fundraiser: a cake sale, a sponsored run or something else entirely – every franc helps people in need.

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Join us

Flying, repairing, leading or supporting: there are many ways to work with MAF. Full-time or voluntary, in Switzerland or anywhere in the world.

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Bringing help and saving lives, together.

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Where we work

Our other focus areas

Where roads end, hope often ends too. Remoteness then means isolation rather than freedom. To counter that isolation, we work on:

Health and hygiene

Our medevac flights make medical care possible where medicines and staff are lacking. We provide clean drinking water and sanitation to fight diseases such as cholera.

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Education and skills development

Cut off from the world, whole generations lack access to education. Because teachers and teaching materials cannot get through on impassable roads, we fly them in. And open up new opportunities on the ground.

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Food and income

Without access to the outside world, families and communities go without essential goods, services and ways of earning a living. We create access to markets and support the food supply.

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Faith and hope

Where people live cut off, hope is often missing. We create connections for local churches and communities – and together we strengthen people in their faith. So that no one feels alone any more.

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