SAF OPENS AIR AND NAVAL BASES FOR RELIEF EFFORTS

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) air and naval bases can now be used as staging and additional logistics points for countries bringing relief supplies to Indonesia.

Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean, said he made this offer to his Indonesian counter-part, Mr Juwono Sudarsono, after he was informed that the airport facilities in the northern part of Sumatra, Medan and Aceh were overstretched.

"We have contacted the Australians, the French, the Japanese as well as the Americans who had expressed some interest in making use of our bases, and I hope that this will also be useful in bringing relief supplies as quickly as possible to those who need them in this seriously stricken part of Indonesia," said Mr Teo.

More aid from the SAF is also heading towards the Indonesian victims of the earthquake and tsunami disasters.

On 31 Dec, a 6,000 tonne, fully loaded Landing Ship Tank (LST), the RSS Endurance, departed Tuas Naval Base for the western coast of Sumatra.

On board are 472 personnel with medical, logistics and engineering expertise. The LST is also carrying relief and medical supplies and heavy engineering equipment like bulldozers and excavators to help clear debris and to open roads.

The LST's large helicopter deck can also be used as a staging point.

At the moment, the SAF's disaster assistance is directed mainly to Indonesia and Thailand.