Assistance proves vital in Banda Aceh’s road to recovery
Kanimbla homeward bound

 

BLAST OFF: CPO Grant Leepere of Adelaide, used a water blaster to clean a generator in preparation for an AQUIS inspection before Kanimbla set sail for home.

Photo: ABPH Bradley Darvill

The RAN’s “aid” ship HMAS Kanimbla (CMDR George Maguire) will return to Australia from her Sumatra Assist duties later this month.

Kanimbla will be one of the last ADF assets to return.

In early March, Defence Minister Senator Hill told of the progressive hand over of responsibilities to the Indonesian Government and international non-government agencies.

He said the Indonesian Government and the NGOs were now better placed to provide the people of Indonesia with the type of long-term specialist support they required.

The Minister applauded the work done by the ADF.

Speaking on March 4, he said, “ Tonight our air traffic controllers and Anzac Field Hospital medical team will arrive back in Sydney.

“These people have done a remarkable job in providing support and hope to the people of Aceh.

“Their assistance was vital to the recovery operations. “The medical personnel were part of the 154-strong team including New Zealand and Indonesian medical staff, made up of doctors, nurses and medical assistants.

“They have added another chapter to the long, distinguished and proud history of the Anzac tradition.”

Before the hospital was able to accept its first patient, the staff had the task of clearing and cleaning the building of mud and bodies, removing and replacing damaged medical equipment and then refurbishing it.

The staff treated 3,700 patients, performed 279 surgical procedures and delivered 19 babies. Senator Hill said the withdrawal of the ADF did not signal the end of Australian assistance.

“The Australian Government has committed a $1 billion assistance package to our regional neighbours and we are working with the Indonesian Government on the best way to deliver the much needed benefits to the Indonesian people.

One of the final tasks done by the Engineer Squadron Group was to clear debris from a damaged mosque.

A modest ceremony was held to mark the occasion and hand over the equipment.

Earlier the engineers handed over water purification equipment to Indonesia. Kanimbla was given just 48 hours to bring back her ship’s company, load fuel, stores and two Sea Kings and depart Sydney for Banda Aceh on New Year’s Eve.

On the way she collected more Defence personnel from Queensland and Darwin.

At one point during Sumatra Assist Australia had more than 1000 of its Defence personnel committed to the relief effort.

In the earthquake/tidal wave tragedy around 230,000 Indonesians died.

When the waves hit other countries on the northern rim of the Indian Ocean, and Africa, others died.

The death toll is thought to be about 300,000.

Fast facts

1200 tonnes of humanitarian aid distributed by air (the ADF had Sea King and Iroquois helicopters in the operation). 70 aero-medical evacuations. 2530 people transported by air. 3700 medical treatments. 4.7 million litres of clean water produced. 9000 cubic metres of debris cleared. 1000 metres of road cleared. 1700 large drains cleared.

 

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