From time to time, MAG is called on to provide help outside the normal scope of our work.

In Chad recently, our Rapid Intervention Team was on its way from Faya Largeau to Koro Toro when we came across a vehicle, like the one pictured, stranded in the desert 180km south of Faya.

The 66 passengers had been waiting for help for three days after the truck’s gearbox had broken and, having used all of their water, some were in danger of dehydration.

The driver had left the vehicle – which had been travelling from Faya to Kouba 300km away, a journey that would normally take two days – to look for spare parts and hadn’t yet returned.

We provided water and food, and reported their location to our radio room in N’Djamena so that the local authorities could be contacted and further assistance sent.

When we arrived in Kouba that afternoon, the head of the town thanked us for helping his fellow Chadians; while we learnt that the truck driver had been seen leaving with some local people who knew where the spare parts could be found.