Volunteer pilots flying with Bahamas Habitat, in partnership with Servants in Faith and Technology, are actively fighting the cholera epidemic in Haiti and seeking new recruits. The group is delivering water filtration and purification systems that serve as a front-line effort to stem the tide of the disease. Cholera has already taken more than 1,700 lives in Haiti since an outbreak began there Oct. 21, according to the United Nations. Bahamas Habitat pilots have so far delivered enough purification units to clean water for more than 34,000 people. Larger, community-oriented purification systems weigh about 26 pounds each and, due to their size, multiple units can be loaded on most small aircraft. Each aircraft also usually carries multiple one-pound single-dwelling filtration units. The flights are funded by donations and the organization is seeking volunteer pilots (and aircraft) to continue the work.
Bahamas Habitat describes itself as a U.S.-based Christian nonprofit that supports housing and disaster relief work in the Bahamas and Caribbean. In 2010, the National Aeronautic Association recognized the organization with the Public Benefit Flying Outstanding Achievement Award. The organization says it flew more than 400 missions to Haiti following the earthquake there. It plans to support the water-purification delivery program throughout 2011 and is seeking contributions and volunteer pilots. (Contact Cameron@bahamashabitat.org.)
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