How we're helping

3D map of Aceh Province. Click the map for a larger version.

Map of surrounds of Aceh Province.

Sgt Glen Donaldson and another 21 Const Sqn member work in a tropical rainstorm to flush out mud-filled drains at the Anzac Field Hospital in Banda Aceh. Photo by AB Phillip Cullinan

Wg-Cmdr Bill Griggs assists six-year-old Putriska, being flown to Medan to undergo surgery for serious burns. Photo by Cpl Darren Hilder

Supply delivery

A 33 Sqn B707 flew some of the earliest missions into Banda Aceh and maintains flights between Australia and Butterworth in Malaysia. An air load team from 1 Air Terminal Sqn has been spread between airports in Banda Aceh, Medan and Jakarta.

Medical staff

Army’s 1HSB and 2HSB and Air Force’s 3CSH, accompanied by NZ elements, have established field medical centres and staffed local hospitals in Banda Aceh. Medical support includes surgery, intensive care and x-ray facilities.

Engineers

150 engineers from 1CER are doing clean-up work in Banda Aceh and surrounds. Earthmoving and construction equipment, ferried on HMAS Kanimbla, have been used to clear debris and rebuild roads. Engineers also have helped build shelters for survivors.

Air transport

Six Hercs are involved in supporting the relief effort. Four are based in Banda Aceh and have been transporting supplies, personnel and civilians. A further two are transporting personnel and supplies from Australia into the region. An B707 and Beech 350 King Air also have been committed.

Logistics

A logistics HQ has been established at Butterworth in Malaysia. It coordinates the flow of equipment and personnel, and the airbase is receiving supply deliveries to ease the strain on airfields in Banda Aceh and Medan. Logistics staff at the HQ have been working closely with local staff and Australian personnel in Aceh to help Indonesian authorities coordinate relief efforts.

Aero-medical evacuation

Three RAAF AME teams and four Iroquois from A Sqn, 5 Avn Regt, are flying sorties to affected areas along Sumatra’s west coast, evacuating critically injured civilians to hospital facilities in Banda Aceh. The helicopters, which also have been used to deliver humanitarian aid to some inaccessible areas, were chosen partly because of their low rotor downwash.

Air traffic controllers

Controllers from Air Force’s 44 Wg and support personnel from 1 Combat Communication Sqn have deployed to Banda Aceh to help Indonesian authorities manage the increased flow of aircraft into the region. Responsible for helicopter operations, they have coordinated about 300 rotary-wing movements a day.

Water

1CER engineers have established a water purification plant in Banda Aceh and have been distributing clean water. The plant has been producing about 320,000 litres of clean water a day, which has been distributed to the local population in 10-litre containers. With local water supplies contaminated in the tsunami, the plant has been vital to preventing the spread of disease.

HMAS Kanimbla

Anchored off the coast of Banda Aceh, HMAS Kanimbla’s crew have been involved in clean-up work in Banda Aceh. Its medical staff have given aid to both local civilians and taskforce members. The ship’s two Sea King helicopters are flying sorties from Sabang Island, north of Banda Aceh, up to 200km south, delivering food, water and shelter to remote areas.