1
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MUMA-7X22SJ?OpenDocument
Samoa/Tonga: NZDF begins tsunami draw down
Source: Government of New Zealand
Date: 20 Oct 2009
Having successfully achieved its immediate disaster relief tasks in the wake of
the tsunami that struck Samoa and Tonga on the 29th September 2009 the
New Zealand Defence Force has commenced a draw-down of personnel and
equipment no longer required.
HMNZS CANTERBURY has started loading the Iroquois helicopter, vehicles
and plant, and will sail from Apia on Wednesday 21 October. The departure of
NZDF personnel does not signal the end of New Zealand's assistance to
Samoa. The NZ$6.1 million dollar contribution to a combined trans-Tasman
package, announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Murray
McCully last week, will provide the Government of Samoa with the ability to
rebuild its infrastructure, restore essential services and begin the process of
economic recovery.
In Tonga, New Zealand has pledged $1.5 million dollars to help the northern
island of Niuatoputapu rebuild.
"We will continue the aid effort in Tonga over the coming days on
Niuatoputapu, an island with significant tsunami damage, before returning to
New Zealand," said Wing Commander Karl Harvey, an NZDF Senior National
Officer.
"The effects of this tsunami have been felt across the South Pacific and it has
had a significant impact on the people of Samoa and Tonga directly,
something the NZDF personnel here have seen every day. The tragic loss of
life cannot be reversed, but we hope that with our contribution to the
combined aid effort, the people of Samoa and Tonga can start down the road
to recovery and rebuild their respective communities and countries."
Over 150 personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force have participated in a
whole-of-Government approach to assist the Governments of Samoa and
Tonga by working with NZAID, the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency
Management, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
NZ Police, the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, NZ Customs, The Ministry of
Civil Defence and Emergency Management, NGOs and the Australian
Defence Force. Ends
Contact: Captain Zac Prendergast 021 806 926
Background:
A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P3 Orion aircraft from No. 5
Squadron was the first to arrive on the day of the tsunami and conducted
2
three days of disaster reconnaissance and aerial searches of the Samoan and
Tongan coastline.
Strategic airlift was provided by No 40 Squadron RNZAF using C130 Hercules
and Being 757 aircraft flying seven flights from NZ. They delivered 12,000kg
of medical equipment and supplies and 22,000kgs of general aid including
tents, caskets, chainsaws, tooling, shelter boxes, tarps, food, water etc. The
aid was provided from a number of sources including NZAID ,various NGOs
and others. The Boeing 757 was also used to return eleven New Zealanders
injured by the Tsunami back to NZ. In a joint Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF)
and RNZAF operation, an RAAF C130 Hercules flew two flights from NZ
delivering RNZAF helicopters and other aid.
Two Iroquois helicopters from No 3 Squadron RNZAF provided tactical airlift
and flew 76 hours in support of tasks for the Samoan Government, NZ
Government agencies, NZ Police and other aid agencies. Most of the tasks
were aid distribution from Faleata to villages in both Upolu and Savaii. Air
Force personnel also assisted in the clean up of Manono Island and the repair
and refloating of a local fishing vessel.
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Dive Team repaired and replaced
fresh water pipelines between Manono and Namua Islands off the coast of
Upolu. They conducted sub-surface body searches of the southern lagoons
including detailed searches of high probability areas within the lagoon. In
addition they conducted damage inspections of Aleipata Wharf, environmental
reef surveys and sub-surface obstacle removal operations.
HMNZS CANTERBURY delivered aid, including 80 tonnes of general aid, 6
tonnes medical equipment and medical supplies, 7 tonnes of plumbing
supplies, 128 tonnes of power poles and Fale poles and 4 tonnes of electrical
supplies.
The NZ Army Medical team provided medical assistance at Lalomanu
Hospital and Poutasi Medical Clinics. NZDF Aero-Medical Evacuation (AME)
teams provided in-flight medical coverage to injured New Zealanders being
repatriated to NZ in addition to a local AME flight in country. The NZ Army
Engineers provided reconnaissance and survey assessments of damaged
infrastructure, assisted in ground body searches with the NZ Police and other
Rescue services. They worked with the Samoan Water Authority constructing
temporary toilets and water tanks shelters for the displaced in the Saleapaga,
Sale'a'amua and Satetoa villages.
NZDF Environmental Health Officers worked with Samoan and Tongan
Ministry of Health and other environmental health agencies to establish the
needs of displaced people as a result of the tsunami.