Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) has partnered with local charity Kai Aroha to fly essential supplies to families left isolated due to recent weather events.
People in Te Araroa and surrounding communities have been cut-off due to roads being destroyed by flooding and slips. Without any access in or out, they have been left without life’s necessities.
MAF made two flights on Wednesday to the region, delivering water, food and medical supplies provided by Kai Aroha in their Cessna 206 aircraft.
CEO Mark Fox says being able to serve the local community is a privilege.
“The work we do overseas is to communities just like Te Araroa – isolated and without access to any of life’s essentials. Being able to help Kai Aroha deliver these supplies is exactly why we exist, and it’s quite special to be a part of.”
MAF primarily works in developing countries, reaching communities isolated from the rest of the world – like those in the East Cape currently are. Being able to help communities affected by the recent weather events is exactly why they exist and is a special opportunity for Mark and his team.
Kai Aroha founder Tania Lewis-Rickard says MAF has been a huge help.
“The need is so massive. We have no idea exactly what they’re experiencing right now – but the isolation and need is much deeper and wider.
Partnering with MAF means a lot – its people believing in the mission of Kai Aroha. Seeing the coming together of our resources and connections so we can do all we can to feed our community – I felt so much aroha from that.”
STORY / DANIELLE WELSH PHOTOS / DANIELLE WELSH & TANIA LEWIS-RICKARD