Defence Support To Indonesian Earthquake

Defence Support To Indonesian Earthquake

Defence has rapidly deployed a water purification plant capable of delivering 200,000 litres of clean water a day as well as a team of medical specialists to Padang to assist the Indonesian government with its disaster recovery operation.

The Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans said the water plant was flagged by Indonesian authorities as important. It was air-lifted last night and is due to commence operations later today.

“The water purification plant is a capability that the Indonesian authorities have specifically requested. It is a tested capability – with a similar plant providing support to flood-affected Queenslanders earlier this year as well as being previously deployed to Banda Aceh following the tsunami and earthquake in December, 2004,” said Lieutenant General Evans.

“As you are aware, our efforts now need to move from rescue to recovery as we support Indonesian authorities restore normalcy as soon as possible.”

The initial engineer and medical assessment conducted by the advanced elements of Defence over the weekend are complete. The medical assessment has confirmed that of the five hospitals in Padang, only the Djamil hospital has suffered major damage. The 800-bed hospital is operating at 400-beds with four operating rooms. However, the strong and rapid response from the international community has brought a significant amount of medical capability to Padang and there is no requirement for additional medical support to city.

“Our medical capability, which includes a Primary Health Care and Resuscitation team, have moved into the regional area of Siegeringging today which as been identified by Indonesian authorities as one of those villages requiring critical support,” said Lieutenant General Evans.

“HMAS KANIMBLA has also departed Sydney and will visit Townsville and Darwin to pick up people and equipment before it continues to travel north to Padang. The ship is well suited to disaster relief operations. In addition to its embarked Sea King helicopter two Landing Craft Medium boats and two amphibious wheeled LARC vehicles from Townsville will also be added to the ship’s complement.

“The two RAAF C-130 crews continue to work tirelessly from Jakarta to Padang in support of the international aid effort. The C-130 operators are to be congratulated. The invaluable role and response capability of strategic airlift provided by the C-17 Globemaster is also to be recognised.”

The total ADF commitment to Operation Padang Assist is now around 500. The operation is expected to last between one month to six weeks.

ENDS

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