Australian Defence Force C-130 Completes Aerial Survey of Lomaiviti and Lau Groups

19 March 2010

The Australian Defence Force Hercules C-130 aircraft has returned to Australia after delivering relief supplies and completing aerial surveys of the Lomaiviti and Lau groups of islands.

On board yesterday’s four-hour flight were the Acting Australian High Commissioner, Ms Sarah Roberts, representatives of AusAID, the Fiji Red Cross, UNICEF, the New Zealand High Commission, and a large contingent from the Fiji interim government.

The aerial surveys undertaken by the ADF C-130 revealed extensive damage in some parts of the Eastern Division, especially in the Northern Lau Group.

The islands of the Lau Group appeared to have sustained significant damage to crops and infrastructure, including housing. The actual extent of damage will only be determined once ground assessments are conducted.

Meanwhile, some of the Australian-supplied emergency relief supplies which arrived aboard the Hercules C-130 on Wednesday were delivered to the Northern Division today. The remainder will be shipped to the Lomaiviti and Lau groups of islands tomorrow.

The supplies, which include 576 tarpaulins, 3000 ten-litre water containers and 688,000 water purification tablets will be ferried to the islands by the government vessels, Iloilovatu and Raiyawa - and one of the Consort Shipping-owned vessels.

The Iloilovatu and the Raiyawa will be sailing to Lau and Lomaiviti, respectively, while the Consort Shipping vessel will be heading to islands in the Northern Division.

As announced by Foreign Minister, Mr Stephen Smith, Australia is providing an initial contribution of $1 million which includes assistance to the National Disaster Management Organisation (NDMO) to enable delivery of local supplies and emergency relief.

*ENDS*