By Dr. Chaeshin Chu, Elder in the Sarang Church, Seoul, Republic of Korea

As the Korean Church leads global evangelism, dispatching 21,621 long-term missionaries to 171 countries worldwide (as of the end of 2024), there is a critical need to establish a Medical Evacuation (MEDVAC) system directly linked to the missionaries' lives. It has been pointed out that due to the poor medical infrastructure characteristic of mission fields, the safety of missionaries is threatened because the party responsible for covering the emergency transfer costs, which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars, is unclear in the event of unpredictable, critical emergencies.

1. Overseas Deployment Status and Hidden Risks

Many of the primary mission fields of Korean missionaries feature poor healthcare environments. Missionaries are constantly at risk of life-threatening situations due to endemic diseases, unexpected accidents, and the limitations of local medical treatment. MEDVAC is a survival system for the emergency transfer of missionaries to their home country or a third country when local treatment is impossible, demanding professional preparedness far beyond the level of simple 'travel insurance.'

2. The 'Hidden Crisis' Occurring Annually, Surging MEDVAC Demand

Although official national statistics are lacking, internal data from major missionary organizations estimate that several to dozens of life-threatening emergency medical evacuation cases consistently occur within large missionary groups each year.

Considering the high-risk nature of the mission field, the annual demand for emergency transfers across the entire missionary group of over 20,000 cannot be taken lightly. As the transfer costs far exceed the financial capacity of individuals, the systematic construction of a safety net by sending organizations has become an urgent priority.

3. Proposal for Mandatory MEDVAC Sponsorship by Missionary Organizations and Churches

Building a safety net to protect a missionary's life must be the most fundamental duty of the sending organization. Accordingly, the following measures are proposed to mandate MEDVAC insurance enrollment and secure financial responsibility:

This financial burden is surprisingly manageable when planned systematically. It is estimated that comprehensive MEDVAC coverage can be secured by paying an annual premium of approximately 1,000 USD per person.

• Mandatory Prerequisite for Dispatch Approval: A certificate of enrollment in a credible international medical evacuation insurance plan must be designated as a mandatory submission document during the missionary dispatch approval process. Organizations should be obliged to defer the dispatch and support the initial enrollment if the document is not submitted.
• Establishment of a Separate Budget Item and Top Priority Allocation: When drawing up missionary support budgets, a 'Emergency Medical Safety Net (MEDVAC)' budget item must be established, separate from living or ministry expenses. This cost must be allocated the highest priority to cover insurance premiums in a lump sum.
• Adoption of Group Plans: Denominations or large organizations should enter into comprehensive Group Insurance Contracts, providing a standardized minimum safety level for all affiliated missionaries at a more cost-effective rate than individual enrollment.

4. Efficient Support Methods for Missionary Fund Allocation

Instead of hesitating over insurance expenditure under the belief that support funds should be used directly for ministry, protecting a missionary's life must be recognized as the most essential expense for ministry continuity.

• Adoption of 'Priority Deduction' System: A system should be established where the MEDVAC insurance premium is first deducted regularly and paid to the insurance company from the supporting church or organization's 'Missionary Fund Management Account.' Only the remaining balance should be remitted to the missionary, preventing safety gaps due to non-payment.
• Establishment of a 'Designated Giving' Category: A 'Designated Giving for Emergency Medical Safety (MEDVAC)' category should be provided to supporters, promoting the awareness that they are directly contributing to the missionary's life protection and encouraging further support.
• Mandatory Transparency in Financial Reporting: The MEDVAC enrollment and cost execution details must be clearly listed in the missionary's financial reports to transparently disclose the investment in safety to supporters and secure their trust.

In conclusion, establishing the MEDVAC system is not merely a matter of welfare but a strategic essential for 'sustainable missions.' Responsible decision-making and support from all sending organizations are urgently needed.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author, Dr. Chaeshin Chu, and do not necessarily reflect the official position or opinion of Sarang Church, Seoul, ROK.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Gospel Herald.