SAF PROVIDES MORE HELP TO NZ RESCUE OPERATIONS

Two C-130 Hercules military transport aircraft of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) joined in the New Zealand Defence Force's (NZDF's) quake relief operations on 26 Feb. They were used to bring in much-needed supplies and equipment to the stricken city of Christchurch, New Zealand, and to evacuate civilians.

Saturday's supply run brought in four pallets of drinking water and one of welfare supplies totalling over 16,000kg from Auckland. The return leg saw 68 civilians evacuated to Wellington and Auckland.

The 27 Feb supply run carried a 13-member decontamination team and their equipment to Christchurch. On the C-130's return to Auckland, it transported 70 civilians bound for Wellington and Auckland. The passengers, most of whom had lost close to everything in the earthquake, were sent by the various civilian welfare centres located around the city.

Said Singapore contingent commander Colonel Melvyn Ong: "The Singapore contingent remains committed to assisting the NZDF with rescue operations and to provide humanitarian aid to the residents whose lives and homes have been affected by the earthquake. We hope that our assistance has gone some way towards relieving the suffering of the earthquake victims."

In addition, two SAF doctors joined the NZDF's mobile primary health-care team on 25 Feb. They visit welfare centres on a daily basis, providing primary health care and advice on public health issues. To date, the team has collectively seen about 100 patients.

The second-biggest city of New Zealand was hit by a 6.3-magnitude earthquake on 21 Feb. While utilities and communications networks have been partially restored to the city, the area where the worst damage occurred - downtown Christchurch - remains under a daily no-entry curfew from 6.30pm to 6.30am. Buildings within the cordon have been assessed by local authorities and residents are allowed access into their homes during daylight hours if the structure is deemed safe.

Soldiers from Headquarters Guards continue to assist NZDF soldiers and local police in manning the cordon surrounding the city centre.

"The residents have been cooperative and they understand that what we are doing is for their own safety," said Full-time National Serviceman (NSF) Corporal (CPL) Md Amirul Ashraff. While CPL Ashraff is saddened by the disaster, he remains ready to help, and added that he is proud to be able to contribute even as an NSF.

During New Zealand Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Richard Rhys Jones' visit to Christchurch on 27 Feb, he met SAF contingent commander Colonel Melvyn Ong and some of the SAF troops, and expressed thanks for their help in the rescue operations.

In addition to these ongoing assistance efforts, the Singapore contingent will continue to work closely with the NZDF and local authorities.