MEDAN, Indonesia : Emergency relief supplies have reached
earthquake victims in the remote southern tip of Nias Island.
The RSAF airlifted some five tonnes of food and medical supplies to
the victims who have been without food since the earthquake earlier
this week.
The fishing village of Teluk Dalam may look idyllic now.
But it has borne some of the brunt of the recent earthquake.
The main road connecting the village to the city centre was damaged
and Teluk Dalam was cut off without food, water and medicine -
until the RSAF Chinook helicopter managed to land on a football
field, to the relief of residents there, to distribute the much
needed food and medicine.
Homes were destroyed and lives lost, including the unborn child of
24-year-old Muliana.
She suffered a miscarriage during the earthquake and was air-lifted
to Gunung Sitoli for urgent medical treatment.
While more casualties were air lifted from Nias to Medan.
The medical team on board the helicopter said caring for patients,
especially at such high altitudes, is a challenge.
Capt Doctor Elton Tay, SAF Doctor, said, "All the cases are varied.
And we have to see them on a case by case situation. We are unsure
about the kind of casualties we will receive. So we have to adapt,
think and be quick on our feet. We also worry about the vibrations
on the aircraft."
Besides sorties to Nias Island, the RSAF Chinook Squadron also made
its first humanitarian relief operation to the island of Simelieu -
another quake hit area - bringing essential food, water and medical
supplies to the victims there. - CNA