Mercy Air’s Helicopter is free again! Amongst many, the prayers of the two little brothers Stephan and Paul (3 and 5 years old) sons of missionaries in Mozambique are answered:
On the afternoon of the 5th of March our helicopter ‘flew’ out of Colombo, Sri Lanka. It never received permission to fly to the people in need. The aircraft had to be routed back to South Africa at the explicit order of the Sri Lankan government.
Before the disassembled Helicopter arrived on the 19th of January, the Sri
Lankan government was informed about our intensions and coming for the urgent
Tsunami relief. A week later the Ministry informed us personally that no
flight clearance would be given for the humanitarian relief flights.
Based on that decision we then planned to re-route the helicopter to the
Tsunami disaster area of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Our
Mercy Air US
west coast
representative flew to Singapore and Sumatra to prepare a swift repositioning
of the helicopter. Import and flight clearances were obtained.
Through the public media in Sri Lanka we found out that the authorities had
seized the helicopter. Reasons given were serious allegations and threats
against us and our local inviting medical partner organization, whose ministry
we were going to support from the air.
In order to assure no connection between us and the Tamil separation front
we were, along with two other organizations, questioned by the Sri Lankan
Criminal Investigation Department as well as the Intelligence Service. As
there were no irregularities found the President of the country has released
the helicopter after almost eight uneasy weeks of uncertainty,
lots of meetings, faxes, prayers and waiting.
The resultant delay along with the fact that the aircraft had to be returned
to South Africa in addition to the
now uncertain political situation in
Sumatra, the outreach to Aceh became unrealistic. In addition we were today
informed by Media Release from the Indonesian Government that come March 26th
only a handful of aid organizations will be allowed to remain in Sumatra.
It remains to trust that the whole outreach must work out for
the best for all those involved, even though people in need couldn’t be help
from the air. It is however, difficult to understand for this Christian
humanitarian aid organization that such great tragedy does not justify the
much needed aid.
Many of you have generously supported this
outreach by giving and by tremendously assisting in practical ways. Thank you
so much! We trust it is also in your
interest to use the means entrusted to us now for people in need in southern
Grateful for your partnership
for the whole Mercy Air Crew,
Matthias Reuter
Mercy Air/Heli-Ops