During our last Medicaéro mission in southern Madagascar, the consequences of the sudden suspension of USAID funding caused a real shock. Health programs, educational initiatives, support for women and vulnerable populations, climate actions: everything disappeared overnight, leaving thousands of people without recourse.

The island, already weakened by structural poverty and a destructive cyclone in March, finds itself plunged into a silent humanitarian crisis. Local structures supported by USAID are left without guidance or means to continue their actions. The impact is even more alarming in isolated areas, where Medicaéro doctors discovered a truly alarming situation, leading to numerous deaths that could have been avoided with re-nutrition programs.

To prevent the situation from continuing to deteriorate, causing a humanitarian crisis with dramatic consequences, international aid must now intensify and reorganize without American assistance. In the absence of the United States, France’s historical strategic role in the Indian Ocean must find its full place.

In addition to the 6 upcoming missions this year, Medicaéro therefore wishes to intensify its presence on the island by partnering with Aviation Sans Frontières to develop two solutions:

1. The rapid deployment of a Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft – currently on standby in the Democratic Republic of Congo – could be made by AVIATION SANS FRONTIERES. It would allow for quickly organizing effective emergency medical aid in isolated areas, which are very difficult to access by road.
2. The creation of a bush hospital plane, a true mobile health tool for isolated regions. Designed as a versatile twin-turboprop, this aircraft would be capable of transporting up to 3 tons of medical equipment or passengers, thanks to containerized kits. It would also offer mobile operating theaters, allowing surgical interventions to be performed directly in the field, where no hospital exists.

These projects would represent an exceptional springboard for all NGOs active in Madagascar, ensuring rapid access to isolated areas and sustainably strengthening local health capacities. As a benevolent and lasting power, our country, a sustainable partner in Madagascar, could thus propose concrete and ambitious aerial solutions, desired by the populations. We’re counting on you!