The mention of ‘drones’ can cause instant apprehension in humanitarian circles, including within MSF itself, given their use as spying tools or armoured ‘killing machines’. Yet these ‘flying cameras’ offer huge potential to anticipate and enhance emergency responses especially in hard-to-access areas.

In southern Malawi, the MSF team recently used a small drone to conduct an aerial mapping exercise of remote Makhanga island to anticipate and prepare for the next seasonal flooding, which frequently cuts off the area from vital aid.

The team invited a videographer to film the event – to create training videos for future MSF drone operators (by including failed launches and good practices) and as an external visibility tool for inside MSF and for interested external audiences.