MAF wraps up its emergency response to Cyclone Maila in PNG

5th May 2026

An expectant mother is medevacked to hospital on Buka Island (credit: John Woodberry)

MAF has completed its three-week campaign in Bougainville, supporting cut-off communities in the wake of Cyclone Maila. From 11 April to 1 May, MAF carried out a total of 77 flights transporting nearly 300 passengers and 17 tonnes of aid. MAF’s Aquilla Matit has the latest…

When Cyclone Maila hit Papua New Guinea’s Bougainville region on 9 April, MAF joined forces with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and flew into action from 11 April. The Australian and New Zealand governments also provided aid and funding as part of the relief effort.

Cyclone Maila devastated Bougainville region’s communities (credit: NBC Bougainville News)

Cyclone devastates Bougainville region’s communities (credit: NBC Bougainville News)

MAF’s John Woodbury (L): ‘We served & helped in any way we could’ (credit: Aquila Matit)

John Woodberry – who heads up MAF’s work in Bougainville region – outlines MAF’s role during the disaster response:

‘Basically, we served and helped in any way we could.

‘After the plane’s arrival on Buka Island, we were able to fly food, medical and essential supplies to Nissan Island and Bougainville Island (Buin and Arawa) and also perform medevacs.

‘We helped the government and first emergency responders do an aerial survey over Bougainville to look at the roads and rivers, because one of the main things the cyclone did was cause flooding. Bridges and roads were destroyed that provide access to medical care, relief supplies, and all the things you need right after a disaster.

‘We’ve also been moving people back and forth – primarily working with the government’s disaster department. We’ve been prioritising areas that need food urgently, and prioritising patients who need to go to hospital on Buka Island.’

John Woodberry, head of MAF’s work in Bougainville region

Ramazon Bridge and the main highway on Bougainville Island were badly damaged. Many other bridges which linked the islands across Bougainville region were also destroyed, leaving people stranded.

Destroyed Ramazon Bridge on Bougainville Island cuts off communities (credit: NBC Bougainville News)

Destroyed Ramazon Bridge cut off communities (credit: NBC Bougainville News)

MAF’s aerial survey of destroyed Ramazon Bridge (credit: Aquila Matit)

MAF medevacs – a critical part of the response

Out of some 20 MAF flights in the first week, five were medevacs.

All road bridges linking Bougainville Island to Buka Island where Buka General Hospital is located, were either damaged or completely destroyed by the cyclone.

Without bridges to Buka Island, vehicles are washed away (credit: NBC Bougainville News)

On 13 April, MAF medevacked a man in his 30s to hospital from Panguna on Bougainville Island who was hit by a falling tree during high winds. He was concussed with an injury to his right arm.

His sister initially took him to Arawa General Hospital – the nearest hospital on Bougainville Island – but they referred him to neighbouring Buka Island where he would receive more advanced treatment at Buka General Hospital.

With such dangerously choppy waters following the cyclone, the safest and quickest way for him to reach Buka Island was with MAF.

MAF medevacs a concussed man with an injured arm to Buka General Hospital (credit: Aquila Matit)

MAF medevacs a concussed man with an injured arm to hospital (credit: Aquila Matit)

On 14 April, MAF made the same journey and medevacked eight-year-old Louisiana to Buka General Hospital. Louisiana fell and broke her arm during the strong winds and driving rain.

8-year-old Louisiana was flown to hospital after breaking her arm (credit: Aquila Matit)

The other three medevacs in the first week were from Nissan Island’s health centre to Buka General Hospital.

As MAF’s response continued into the second and third week, a further five patients were medevacked from Nissan to Buka. Without MAF’s swift 30-minute flight, the treacherous journey by boat would have taken up to five hours.

MAF flies food to cut-off communities

Pilot Glenys Watson flies aid to Buin on Bougainville Island. (credit: Aquila Matit)

Most communities across Bougainville grow their own food. But when the cyclone caused flooding, their food source was washed away causing food insecurity. United Church Bishop, Reverend Abraham Toroi, explains:

‘The effect of the cyclone is very bad and has caused damage to nearly all of Bougainville.

‘In some places, landslides have covered family food gardens – washing them away in many places. Flooded rivers have buried food gardens beside rivers.

‘These gardens are what most people have, and what they survive on.’

Locals benefit from deliveries such as corned beef and soap (credit: Aquila Matit)

On 17 April MAF flew over 700kg of Australian aid to Buin in the south of Bougainville Island. The cargo included rice, tinned meat and hygiene kits.

The hygiene kits included soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton buds, deodorant, nail clippers, washing up liquid, washing powder, towels, tissues and baby products.

MAF distributed a further 2.5 tonnes of aid from Buka Island to cut-off communities across the Bougainville region. Rev Toroi continues:

‘MAF came and flew relief, food and supplies to the central places like Kieta (on Bougainville Island). From there, it was distributed to various communities or atolls (coral islands). Thank you MAF for coming back.’

MAF’s flight from Buka Island to Buin on Bougainville Island only takes 24 minutes. By boat it can take up to three days, overnighting on the atolls.

Rev Abraham Toroi: ‘Thank you MAF for coming back.’ (credit: Aquila Matit)

As part of the relief effort, MAF flew Bougainville’s State of Emergency Controller, Kearnneth Nanei, to Arawa in the east of Bougainville Island to meet with the local disaster response team. Kearnneth echoes Rev Toroi’s gratitude:

‘It is a very devastating cyclone that has caused deaths and massive destruction.

‘MAF has come on board to support us during this critical need, and we are very grateful for the partnership.’

Kearnneth Nanei, Bougainville’s State of Emergency Controller

Kearnneth Nanei: ‘We are very grateful for the partnership’ (credit: Aquila Matit)

MAF wraps up its emergency response to Cyclone Maila in PNG

5th May 2026

MAF has completed its three-week campaign in Bougainville, supporting cut-off communities in the wake of Cyclone Maila. From 11 April to 1 May, MAF carried out a total of 77 flights transporting nearly 300 passengers and 17 tonnes of aid. MAF’s Aquilla Matit has the latest…

MAF medevacs – a critical part of the response

MAF flies food to cut-off communities

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