03 April 2005
Medical evacuation of earthquake victims from the island of Nias

Prime Minister John Howard announced on 30 March that Australia would respond to the Indonesian Government request for humanitarian relief assistance following the 29 March earthquake which affected a large area of Sumatra devastated by the Boxing Day 2004 tsunamis.

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) contribution forms part of the Australian Government’s response to this latest incident to affect Indonesia and has been named Operation Sumatra Assist - Phase II. Defence Minister Robert Hill said that ADF planners have prepared ADF personnel and assets to provide emergency assistance, primarily in the form of medical support, in close cooperation with Indonesian authorities.

The initial response is being delivered by C-130 Hercules aircraft and by the Australian Navy amphibious transport ship, HMAS Kanimbla, which carries onboard medical and helicopter supply and transport capabilities.

20050402adf8094997_060 An Australian Aero Medical Evacuation staff member helps the TNI military load a victim of the 29 March earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias, onto an awaiting Australian C-130J Hercules aircraft for evacuation to Medan. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050402adf8094997_063 An Australian Aero Medical Evacuation staff member helps the TNI military load a victim of the 29 March earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias onto an awaiting Australian C-130J Hercules aircraft for evacuation to Medan. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050402adf8094997_075 Victims of the 29 March earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias are being prepared to be transported to Medan for medical treatment on an Australian C-130J Hercules aircraft for evacuation to Medan. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050402adf8094997_079 An Australian Aero Medical Evacuation staff member helps the TNI military load a victim of the 29 March earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias onto an awaiting Australian C-130J Hercules aircraft for evacuation to Medan. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050402adf8094997_093 A crew member of an Australian C-130J Hercules aircraft guides the plane into positon before dropping off vital equipment for the evacuation of victims of the 29 March earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res	20050402adf8094997_101 TNI military load a victim of the 29 March earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias onto an awaiting Australian C-130J Hercules aircraft for evacuation to Medan. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res
20050402adf8094997_113 A little girl who was a victim of the 29 March earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias waits to be loaded onto the awaiting C-130J Hercules aircraft for evacuation to Medan. (Date taken: 02 April 2005) Low-Res | Hi-Res