In a State of Emergency, the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville faced a scene of flooding, washed out bridges and gardens and dangerously high seas. In partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government and Australian and New Zealand governments, Mission Aviation Fellowship was able to assist.
Story by Aquila Matit
“The effect of the cyclone is very bad and has caused damaged to nearly all of Bougainville,” said United Church Bishop, Reverend Abraham Toroi.
“In some places there were landslides that came down and covered families and food gardens—and washed away many places. Floodings in rivers washed away and buried food gardens beside rivers. These gardens are what most people have, and what they survive on.”
Bishop Toroi detailed how the disaster cut off road access for many.
“Because of the continued heavy rain and flooding, the highway is one of the links that is very badly affected,” he said. “The bridges have been washed out, causing no travel at this time and many people became stranded. This has affected a lot of lives.
“MAF came and flew relief, food and supplies to the central places like Kieta. From there, it was distributed to various communities or atolls.”
The bridges have been washed out, causing no travel at this time and many people became stranded.
At the invitation of the church and the government in Bougainville, MAF has come to launch aviation and technology initiatives to bring help, hope and healing to remote and isolated areas. Whilst only in the set-up phase, Tropical Cyclone Maila hit, and the team had to respond rapidly.
MAF carried out a three-week continuous emergency response in Bougainville, performing 59 flight hours and a total of 77 flights. Almost 300 passengers were transported and approximately 17 tonnes of humanitarian cargo was flown out to communities in need.
John Woodberry, who leads MAF’s work in Bougainville, explained the flight operations conducted after an aircraft and pilot from mainland PNG were deployed.
“After the plane’s arrival in Buka, we were able to fly food, medical supplies, and essential supplies to Nissan Island, Buin and Arawa—and also perform medevacs and bring some passengers out,” he said.
“We were able to help the government and first emergency responders do an aerial survey over Bougainville to look at the roads, the rivers and conditions, because one of the main things the cyclone did was cause flooding. Bridges were destroyed and other things that provide access for medical care, for relief supplies and all these things you need right after a disaster.
“We’ve also been helping people move back and forth but primarily working with the disaster department of the government. We’ve been able to prioritise the areas that need food most urgently, and where medical patients needed to come to the hospital here in Buka.
“Basically, we were there to serve and help in any way we could,” John added.
The Australian and New Zealand governments provided aid supplies to Bougainville and supported MAF with funding to transport them from the main centre of Buka to affected communities with small airstrips.
MAF warmly recognises the support of the Australian and New Zealand governments for their continued support towards the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, and is deeply encouraged by the cooperative teamwork between foreign aid providers, MAF and the Autonomous Bougainville Government during this time of disaster.
Basically, we were there to serve and help in any way we could.
Having operated in Bougainville between 1966 and 1975, MAF is pleased to return to Bougainville and serve the remote communities, the church, health clinics and the government once more.
“Thank you MAF for coming back,” said Bishop Toroi.
