SOS Operations
In cooperation with other relief organizations, Helimission provides fast SOS help to populations affected by events such as famines, floods, earthquakes, etc.
In years past, Helimission has provided SOS help to the following countries:
Philippines |
2012 |
Typhoon Shortly before Christmas the tropical storm “Sendong” claimed almost 2,000 lives. The inhabitants of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Ozamis City were surprised by a spring tide. Helimission helps financial. more |
Ethiopia |
2011 |
Famine in Africa |
Pakistan |
2010 |
flood disaster |
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Haiti |
2010 |
Earthquake Helimission worked on getting Helicopters in Haiti to support the distribution of aid and supplies, also to transport medicine and doctors as well as injured people. Since we did not have a helicopter in Haiti we had to charter machines in America. |
| Brazil | 2008 |
Flooding In Santa Catharina (Brazil) heavy rainfall led to flooding and destruction in December 2008. We supported the aid workers on site. |
| Madagascar | 2004 |
Cyclones . After cyclones “Elita” and “Gafilo” in February/March 2004, our pilots made survey flights with various organizations in order to determine the devastation and to plan relief efforts. Medical teams were flown in and approximately 15 tons of rice, corn, plastic blankets and other urgently needed items were distributed. |
| Congo | 2002 |
Volcano Eruption in Goma In January 2002, three days after the volcano eruption in Goma (Congo), both of our pilots stationed in Kenya landed with the helicopter there. More than 3000 people were affected by the eruption and about 10,000 were without housing. The stream of lava had divided the city in two parts: east and west. Humanitarian help could only be transported by foot because of the still-hot lava stream. Helimission’s director, Ernie Tanner, organized the operation there with Medecins sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders), Asrames (Regional Organization for Medical Supply), seismologists of the UN and various film teams. Thanks to the flight with the seismologists, fears of a further eruption were alleviated. Also, Doctors Without Borders was able to gain an overview of the refugee situation, and with Asrames it was possible to fly much-needed medicine to various centers. Helimission’s helicopter was the only one stationed in the area of this disaster. |
| Mozambique | 2001 |
Flooding In February 2001, heavy rainfall in Mozambique and in the watershed area of the Sambesi River led to extreme flooding. The Sambesi River delta was flooded in an area of about one million hectares of land. This corresponds to about four times the area of Holland. There were at least 75 fatalities and more than 120,000 people were forced to leave their homes, almost as many were threatened. In March Helimission assisted different organizations, such as the World Food Program, the Nazarene Church Relief Organization, the German Technical Relief Organization, the Red Cross, USAID, Dorcas Aid and local authorities. Our helicopter was used mostly for survey flights, flying medical teams, as well as for distributing emergency aid packages containing rice, corn, oil, seeds and cooking pots. |
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Madagascar
|
2000 |
Three cyclones within a short period: “Eline”, “Gloria” and “Hudah” On February 17, the first cyclone “Eline” reached Madagascar and caused considerable damage along the coast south of Tamatave. Several cities were destroyed more than 40%. A short time later, cyclone “Gloria” struck with heavy rainfall and winds on the northern part of the island and caused great damage. On April 2, hurricane “Hudah” raged over the north of the island with wind speeds of up to 315 km/hour. The coastal city of Antalaha was almost completely destroyed. Over 500,000 people were affected, and at least 85 were killed. Over 200 flight hours were flown, enabling us to reach more than 70 villages and fly in medical equipment and assessment teams into the disaster areas. In addition, over 140 tons of food was distributed and medicine, blankets, soap and building plastic were also flown into the needy areas. |
| Mozambique | 2000 |
Flooding Food, drinking water, medicine and household start-up packages were distributed. Teams of doctors from the German relief organization “humedica” were flown into the flooded areas. |
| Albania | 1999 |
Refugee Crisis Helimission’s SOS container houses served as a medical center in a large refugee camp. Financial assistance was also given to other relief organizations and assisting churches. |
| Honduras | 1998 |
Hurricane “Mitch” Distribution of many tons of clothing and 20 tons of food and medicine. Transport of doctors, officials, geologists and film teams. |
| Papua | 1998 |
Drought After a severe drought, the government requested assistance. We distributed many tons of food and medicine in cooperation with the Australian Government, Doctors Without Borders, and Mission Aviation Fellowship. |
| Madagascar | 1997 |
Hurricane “Gretelle” In cooperation with several relief organizations, Helimission transported doctors, and distributed over five tons of medicine, and 15 tons of rice and special food. |
| Rwanda | 1994 |
Civil War Missions with: UNHCR, THW (German Technical Relief Organization), Doctors without Borders, OXFAM and other relief organizations. Erected plumbing for two camps; one with 27,000 and one with 200,000 refugees. Distribution of medicine and plastic covers. Transport of water purification systems. |
| Madagascar | 1994 |
Cyclone “Geralda” Survey flights with engineers, railway personnel and World Bank officials. Transport of 340 boxes for the repair of the railroad, which supplies the capital. |
| Albania | 1992-1994 |
Political Liberation Transport of 50,000 pairs of shoes, 30 tons of clothing, 100 tons of seed potatoes, 5 tons of seed corn, 1 ton of vegetable seed, etc. Distribution of aid with the helicopter and 4x4 trucks in the areas which were difficult to access. |
| Kurdistan/Turkey | 1991 |
Civil War Supplying the refugee camp with 60,000 liters of drinking water. This operation prevented a plague from breaking out, and saved thousands of people from dying of thirst. |
| Cameroon | 1986 |
Poisonous Gas Release in Nyos Evacuation and care of survivors. Transport of the Swiss Disaster Unit, and seismological warning systems. |
| Sudan | 1986 |
Flooding of the Nile Flights for UNHCR over the Nile into inaccessible villages: 100 tons of relief supplies such as wool blankets and medicine. |
| Sudan | 1985 |
Drought Disaster Under the supervision of UNHCR, distribution of tons of food and medicine. Transport of medical personnel to eight camps to fight the cholera epidemic. |
| Italy | 1980 |
Earthquake Cooperation with the German Red Cross (DRK). Organization, supervision, and distribution of relief supplies. Distribution of 2000 Christmas packages to the inhabitants in emergency shelters. |
| Ethiopia |
1974 1975 1985 |
Drought Disasters Distribution of 10 to 15 tons of food per day to about 20,000 who were suffering from starvation. |
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