SCDF to deploy 2 officers to Aceh following earthquake

SINGAPORE - The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) will be deploying two officers to Indonesia following the 6.5-magnitude earthquake that has claimed more than 97 lives in Aceh, Indonesia.

The two SCDF officers will form part of a five-man ASEAN Emergency Response and Assessment Team (ERAT), SCDF said in a statement Wednesday (Dec 7).

The ERAT will provide quick assessments to determine the critical resources such as tents, medical kits, and sanitation facilities required for the areas affected by the earthquake.

The two SCDF officers will depart for Indonesia on Dec 8 and are expected to be there for a week.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong offered their condolences to Indonesia President Joko Widodo on the same day (Dec 7).

"On behalf of the government of Singapore, I express my heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Singapore stands ready to assist Indonesia in whatever way we can," PM Lee wrote.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen also said in a Facebook post on Thursday (Dec 8) that the Singapore Armed Forces has offered their help to their Indonesian counterparts. "For the present, Indonesian agencies are able to cope, but we stand ready to assist, if needed," Dr Ng wrote.

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The Indonesian army has deployed more than 1,000 soldiers and about 900 police to the worst-hit areas to set up shelters and evacuation points, AFP reported.

In 2004, Aceh was also struck by a tsunami after an earthquake in the Indian Ocean. More than 170,000 people were killed in Indonesia alone.

Then, Singapore deployed three Navy ships - RSS Endurance, RSS Persistence and RSS Endeavour - off the coast of Meulaboh to aid with recovery efforts.

grongloh@sph.com.sg