Aviation Ministry Responds to Indonesian Earthquakes

Christian Newswire reports that Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has flown in an assessment team to the devastated city of Padang, Indonesia, to help respond to the massive earthquake damage. The quake hit Sept. 30, destroying hundreds of buildings and homes, triggering landslides, knocking out power and cutting off roads into the city of approximately 900,000 people. Amid the fires and flooding, thousands will probably die. Relief agencies are relying on MAF and other groups in a desperate race against time. MAF currently has two aircraft and three expatriate pilots in Sumatra, and is basing operations from Pekan Baru to the epicenter. The group is coordinating efforts with operation Blessing International (OBI) and flying in OBI relief teams. "We are working primarily with OBI," said Stan Unruh, the MAF country director in Sumatra, "but the phone is ringing off the hook with requests from the Red Cross and others."