SOUTH AFRICA: Mercy Air

In January, southern Mozambique experienced its worst flooding in more than 20 years, impacting an estimated 700,000 people who were cut off from food, supplies, and medical care. Wings of Hope partner Mercy Air immediately responded to the disaster by providing aerial surveys, conducting medical evacuations, and dropping high-protein dried food packs to the flood impacted areas. It cost Mercy Air about $2,000 per flight to deliver 1,700 food packs — each feeding a family of five. Wings of Hope supported the delivery of food and containers for the affected communities.

BELIZE: Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT) – Flight Evacuation Case

Wings of Hope has been partnering with the Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT), a nonprofit that provides emergency medical services and ground and air ambulance transportation in Belize, for over 40 years. On a bright, sunny afternoon this past January, BERT was called to the town of San Pedro in Ambergris Caye when a middle-aged couple encountered a life-threatening emergency while scuba diving in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. During the dive, the wife’s mouthpiece became dislodged, and she nearly drowned at a depth of about 30 feet. By the time she was brought to the surface, she was clinically unresponsive. Fortunately, the dive master successfully resuscitated her. BERT quickly responded, airlifting the couple to Belize City, where she received further treatment and recovered. She was deeply grateful for a second chance at life.