SCDF wraps up operations in Thailand and Aceh
I've posted on SCDF's Operations Lionheart previously here and here. Looks the SCDF is wrapping up in both Khao Lak, Thailand and Aceh, Indonesia.
From this ST report (Jan 12), most of the SCDF personnel sent to Thailand have returned, with 12 still in the Phuket area. They were among the first to arrive (30 Dec) and last to leave. Many of them will be receiving counselling upon their return "to help ease any psychological toll on rescuers after coming face to face with the tragic conditions on the ground", according to this CNA (Jan 12) report.
It's been a long day...
* * * * *
From their Operations Update page:
Khao Lak, Thailand Update
The SCDF contingent in Khao Lak has conducted intensive search operations along an assigned 3km stretch coastal area between Nang Thong Bay and Bang Niam Beach at Khao Lak, Thailand since Thursday, 30 Dec 2004. The operation went beyond the assigned 3km area since Wednesday, 5 Jan 2005 as teams probed further inland into the Khao Lak National Park region.
Joint sea operations between SCDF and the Royal Thai Navy have also been conducted to comb the near-by coastal waters and islands. Many parts of the areas of operation, such as the Sea View Resort and Phi Phi Island, have also been searched more than once by the SCDF contingent.
The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced the ceasing of official search and rescue operation in Khao Lak. Thai authorities have also begun reconstruction work with many places off-limits to international Search & Rescue (SAR) teams. Excavators and other heavy machinery have also replaced the SAR teams as buildings are torn down in Khao Lak and other tsunami-hit areas.
In view of OCHA’s declaration of cessation of SAR efforts and commencement of reconstruction work by the Thai authorities, the SCDF has thinned its presence at Khao Lak on Monday, 10 Jan 2005. As at today, the Contingent Commander and 2 teams of SCDF’s elite DART (Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team) members are in Khao Lak awaiting for further directions from the Thai authorities on possible search operations.
The need for the SCDF contingent to remain in Khao Lak will be continuously assessed.
Aceh, Indonesia Update
Last Saturday, 8 Jan 2005, Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wu Dawei, visited the SCDF in Bandar Aceh and conveyed his appreciation for the support extended to the China International Search & Rescue (CISAR) team, especially in the fields of logistics and transportation, which were critical in facilitating the CISAR team’s quick settlement soon after their arrival in Indonesia.
Since that Saturday, the SCDF contingent members, who are trained in critical life-saving skills, have also been assisting the SAF medical unit at the SECATA Camp, which is a TNI (Indonesian military) camp near the Banda Aceh Airport that has been converted to serve as a Refugee Relief Centre. There is an estimated population of 2,000 people in the centre.
Some personnel were assigned to attend to patients and dispense medicine at the medical centre. Others were deployed with SAF and Indonesian soldiers to construct much-needed drainage and sanitation systems for the camp. Several of our officers who are proficient in Bahasa Indonesia, also became vital cultural bridges by doing translation for SAF doctors as they were treating the locals.
The SCDF has officially concluded humanitarian operations in Aceh. The contingent of 27 personnel touched down in Singapore at the Paya Lebar Airbase at 5.00pm this evening [Jan 12].
* * * * *
From this ST report (Jan 12), most of the SCDF personnel sent to Thailand have returned, with 12 still in the Phuket area. They were among the first to arrive (30 Dec) and last to leave. Many of them will be receiving counselling upon their return "to help ease any psychological toll on rescuers after coming face to face with the tragic conditions on the ground", according to this CNA (Jan 12) report.
It's been a long day...
* * * * *
From their Operations Update page:
Khao Lak, Thailand Update
The SCDF contingent in Khao Lak has conducted intensive search operations along an assigned 3km stretch coastal area between Nang Thong Bay and Bang Niam Beach at Khao Lak, Thailand since Thursday, 30 Dec 2004. The operation went beyond the assigned 3km area since Wednesday, 5 Jan 2005 as teams probed further inland into the Khao Lak National Park region.
Joint sea operations between SCDF and the Royal Thai Navy have also been conducted to comb the near-by coastal waters and islands. Many parts of the areas of operation, such as the Sea View Resort and Phi Phi Island, have also been searched more than once by the SCDF contingent.
The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced the ceasing of official search and rescue operation in Khao Lak. Thai authorities have also begun reconstruction work with many places off-limits to international Search & Rescue (SAR) teams. Excavators and other heavy machinery have also replaced the SAR teams as buildings are torn down in Khao Lak and other tsunami-hit areas.
In view of OCHA’s declaration of cessation of SAR efforts and commencement of reconstruction work by the Thai authorities, the SCDF has thinned its presence at Khao Lak on Monday, 10 Jan 2005. As at today, the Contingent Commander and 2 teams of SCDF’s elite DART (Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team) members are in Khao Lak awaiting for further directions from the Thai authorities on possible search operations.
The need for the SCDF contingent to remain in Khao Lak will be continuously assessed.
Aceh, Indonesia Update
Last Saturday, 8 Jan 2005, Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wu Dawei, visited the SCDF in Bandar Aceh and conveyed his appreciation for the support extended to the China International Search & Rescue (CISAR) team, especially in the fields of logistics and transportation, which were critical in facilitating the CISAR team’s quick settlement soon after their arrival in Indonesia.
Since that Saturday, the SCDF contingent members, who are trained in critical life-saving skills, have also been assisting the SAF medical unit at the SECATA Camp, which is a TNI (Indonesian military) camp near the Banda Aceh Airport that has been converted to serve as a Refugee Relief Centre. There is an estimated population of 2,000 people in the centre.
Some personnel were assigned to attend to patients and dispense medicine at the medical centre. Others were deployed with SAF and Indonesian soldiers to construct much-needed drainage and sanitation systems for the camp. Several of our officers who are proficient in Bahasa Indonesia, also became vital cultural bridges by doing translation for SAF doctors as they were treating the locals.
The SCDF has officially concluded humanitarian operations in Aceh. The contingent of 27 personnel touched down in Singapore at the Paya Lebar Airbase at 5.00pm this evening [Jan 12].
* * * * *
Permalink |
|
| 
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home