Brunei Darussalam's efforts to provide humanitarian relief assistance to Tsunami victims in Indonesia's northern city of Banda Aceh is gathering pace with the expected departure Wednesday of a team to help in the relief work.
At a meeting Monday morning, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Major General Dato Awang Haji Halbi said the team will be made up of personnel of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation and medical professionals comprising doctors, nurses, health personnel and other volunteers.
Initially the team, who will be bringing two black Hawk Helicopters and one CN235 transport aircraft of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, will help deliver medical supplies, food and clothing donated by the people of Brunei Darussalam through The National Relief Fund for Victims of the Tsunami Disaster.
The departure of the team follows the departure of a six man advanced party to closely assess situation in the affected area so as to identify the logistic needs, communications and personnel. The advanced team is led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Pehin Colonel Dato Haji Muhammad Yasmin. Also in the delegation are the Director General of Medical Services, Doctor Haji Affendy, who is also a member of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation's Board of Directors, and four military officers of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.