SAF SENDS HELP TO BADLY-STRICKEN AREAS IN INDONESIA

Two Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C-130 aircraft have been sending medical and relief supplies to the capital of Indonesia, Banda Aceh.

Since their arrival, the 25-man SAF medical team in Banda Aceh have treated more than 200 casualties, dressing their wounds and giving them medicine.

Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Tay Boon Khai, commander of the medical mission, said that many of the doctors and nurses there had been killed or injured by the tsunami.

Also, the hygiene situation was in a very bad state although outbreaks of diseases had not occurred.

LTC Tay added that the general hospital there had been destroyed, leaving only the military hospital. Assistance forces in the area are trying to set up a hospital to provide more medical aid.

Apart from transporting relief supplies, the two C-130 aircraft have also been evacuating refugees from Banda Aceh to Medan, at the request of the Indonesian authorities.

Most of them have lost their homes to the tsunami and will be seeking relatives' help in Medan.

The SAF humanitarian relief team is also moving in to Meulaboh, located on the west coast of Sumatra, where most parts of the town have been greatly damaged by the tsunami.

The two SAF Chinooks deployed have air-lifted medical supplies, equipment and medical personnel into Meulaboh.

The helicopters also evacuate the injured and refugees whenever possible.

For Lieutenant (LTA) Kenneth Ang (left), a Chinook pilot involved in humanitarian assistance for the first time, this is an eye-opening experience for him.

He said: "We face a lot of uncertainties. But we are putting our training to good use. We have to exercise a lot of judgment and make decisions as the area has mountainous zones and the weather can be bad. Planning is also crucial."

More aid is on its way to Meulaboh, as the Landing Ship Tank (LST) that left on 31 Dec 04 reaches Meulaboh on 2 Jan. The LST carries relief and medical supplies, heavy engineering equipment like bulldozers and excavators as well as a second medical team.

31 Dec 04 : Relief supplies are sent to Banda Aceh on the RSAF C-130 aircraft. The supplies are unloaded with the help of a forklift. They are then loaded onto a SAF truck by SAF personnel.