SAF CONTINUES TO PROVIDE AID TO QUAKE VICTIMS

One week after the devastating earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Nias, off the west coast of Sumatra, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel continue to provide assistance to the affected residents of the disaster.

A water purification unit was delivered to the people of Gunung Sitoli, a town in Nias, via a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Chinook helicopter, on 4 Apr.

En route to the town, the Chinook also ferried a 13-member Royal Australian Navy (RAN) flying safety investigation team from Sibolga to the site where an RAN helicopter had crashed on 2 Apr.

In consultation with the Indonesian authorities, the RSAF's Chinooks continue to fly from Medan to Gunung Sitoli, airlifting much-needed relief supplies to the residents there.

Since operations began on 30 Mar, the Chinooks have airlifted about 30 tonnes of relief supplies from Medan to Nias and a neighbouring island, Simeulue.

Meanwhile, the SAF medical team continues its work. The team has established a working system with the Indonesian authorities to evacuate patients with severe medical conditions to the Nias General Hospital or to Medan.

To date, SAF doctors and medics have treated nearly 530 patients.

As the medical situation in Pulau Nias has stabilised, the medical team is now treating patients for common ailments like cough, fever, flu and minor cuts and wounds.