HISTORY
The beginning of Aviation Without Borders
In 1968, travelling Air France pilots and mechanics were moved by the conflict in Biafra and decided to participate in a rescue operation via aerial bridge (transport of provisions, medicineand famine victims). Between 1967 and 1970, Biafra was a secessionist state of Nigeria. The war of Independence of Biafra caused millions of deaths mostly because of the famine.
The aerial Bridge marked the beginning of awareness of the role of aviation in humanitarian operations.
The creation of Aviation Without Borders (WFB) (founded in 1980) has its origins in the conflict in Biafra. Doctors without borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) (founded in 1971), also stems from this conflict.
The "1980s"
1980 : Creation of ‘Aviation Sans Frontières’ (WFB)
The birth of the French section of Aviation without borders motivated by the pilots of Air France.
1983 : Foundation of Aviation Without Borders Belgium (WFB-B)
Inspired by the NGO Aviation Without Borders founded in France, doctors and airline pilots of airline company personnel like SABENA founded Aviation Without Borders Belgium.
The aim of the association is to place people and means of the aeronautical world at the disposal or service of any organisation, person or government who requests it for humanitarian reasons, like the transport of medication, provisions or medical personnel to the heart of regions in need.
The 1980s will be marked by the work of Aviation without Borders with Doctors without Borders (MSF), Save the Children, and other ONGs for their humanitarian aviation missions (transport of humanitarian personnel and medications) and repair of landing strips, mainly in African countries affected by armed conflict: Mali, Ethiopia, Chad, Sudan, Mozambique.
The 1980s of Aviation without Borders will also be marked by the aerial ambulance project in Ecuador.
The "1990s"
Working in partnership with Doctors without Borders (MSF), Merlin, Medair et other NGOs as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross (CICR) and UNICEF, for aviation humanitarian missions (transport of humanitarian personnel and medication) and repair of landing strips, especially in countries affected by armed conflict: Zaire, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Sierra Leone.
Programme for the accompaniment of children
Partnered with the Chain of Hope Belgium to accompany ill children needing medical surgical intervention in Europe.
The year "2000" and beyond
Partnerships with Doctors without Borders (MSF), Merlin, Medair et other NGOs like the International Committee of the Red Cross (CICR) and UNICEF, for humanitarian aviation missions (transport of humanitarian personnel, provisions and medication), mostly in countries affected by armed conflict: The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Kenya, Chad, Mali.
2007 : Programme for accompanying migrants
Accompaniment of refugees in partnership with the International Organisation for Migrations (OIM), in charge of reinstalling refugees in countries welcoming them. This organisation works in close collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and numerous other NGOs.
2008 : Environmental aerial support
In 2008-2009, at the request of WWF Madagascar, Aviation Without Borders Belgium, developed a simple, precise and inexpensive methodology to combat deforestation, with the aid of oblique aerial photography.
The year "2010" and beyond
Partnerships with various NGOs and other humanitarian organisations for humanitarian aviation missions (transport of humanitarian personnel, victims and medication) mainly in countries affected by armed conflict: Chad, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Aerial support for management of National Parks, transport of material and personnel: Salonga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
International air freight of medication as requested by the Red Cross to aid victims of damage and floods caused by Idai and Kennet cyclones in Mozambique.
Aerial Aviation Company Without Borders
Following new requirements of the European Commission and the United Nations, creation of a new aerial Aviation Without Borders company (compliant with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency) and replacement of our piston engines (Cessna C206, 5 passenger seats) by turbine motor aeroplanes (Cessna C208B, 12 passenger seats).
2016 : Creation of International Aviation Without Borders
Since 1980, sections of Aviation Sans Frontières were founded in 10 different countries. Aviation Sans Frontières International is an NGO under Swiss law whose mandate is to raise funds for common projects in several national sections of Aviation Without Borders, but also to pool means and resources for various sections to diversify their activities. The sections may therefore also participate financially and operationally in various projects and launch new projects with the support of other sections of Aviation Without Borders.
The year "2020" and beyond
Working in partnership with various NGOs and other humanitarian organisations for humanitarian aviation missions (transport of humanitarian personnel, victims and medication) to countries affected by armed conflict: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
2020 : Aerial Support Project for Health – Panzi Foundation
Since September 2020, Aviation Without Borders has been transporting medical equipment and patients of the Panzi Hospital in partnership with the the Panzi Foundation of Dr Mukwege (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate), on a monthly basis.
2020 : Express Air freight
This mechanism allows rapid intervention in the case of sudden catastrophe. The mobilisationand express air freight of medication destined for victims of the explosion in Beirut in Lebanon by the IHP Foundation , for ANERA NGO, was then activated in Palestine, Ethiopia, Haiti and Ukraine, to supply urgent disaster relief to victims.
2021 : Hot-air balloon operation smile
The Hot-air balloon operation smile was founded to allow ill children, accompanied by a family member, to take part in an extraordinary activity to help them temporarily "forget their illness".
