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Timor-Leste

MAF’s planes provide life-saving ambulance flights in Timor-Leste, and helps missions, relief and development workers reach and serve in more isolated areas.

Comprised of the eastern half of Timor and the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse – an exclave within Indonesian West Timor

After a referendum in 1999 resulted in a majority vote for independence, serious conflict followed. Stability was eventually restored and the country gained independence in 2002. But life remains difficult.

Isolated communities have few of life’s essentials and surface transport can be slow and dangerous.

Timor-Leste has the highest level of malnutrition in south-eastern Asia.

Our programme began in 2007 and thanks to our partnership with Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Health, we carry out over 250 emergency airlifts each year from remote regions to the country’s main hospital in the capital Dili.

Our flights enable Christian NGOs to teach English and show Gospel films, enable plastic surgery teams to visit Oecusse Hospital, and help NGOs to combat malnutrition.

‘We’ve been here for 5 months and have seen about 40 people invite Jesus into their hearts. We thank God MAF was available to help start our ministry.’Myra Leaw, missionary

Quick Facts
Main Base:
Dili
Programme Began:
2007
Aircraft:
Two GA8 Airvans
Staff:
3 international
6 national
Did you know?
We served 2,932 passengers across 10 locations in 2022, and work with 88 partner organisations
Partners on the ground
CARE International
Ministry of Health
PLAN International
Save the Children
Tearfund
The Leprosy Mission International
WaterAid
World Vision
YWAM
Where is Timor-Leste?
Want to give to help our work in Timor-Leste and beyond?
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