Aust pledges big support to quake-hit areas

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop says her government will deploy three Army CH-47F Chinook helicopters with additional Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and supplies to support in the earthquake disaster relief effort in PNG.
In a joint statement with Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne and Minister for International Development and the Pacific Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells, Bishop said the contribution supplemented the presence of 80 Australian Defence Force and 75 Australian Federal Police (AFP) personnel in PNG.
“A Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules with a crew of 10 personnel has made nine flights to affected areas, delivering up to A$200,000 (K506,200) worth of Australian humanitarian supplies,” the statement said.
“The C-130J has also transported PNG government medical items as well as supplies from the Red Cross, the World Health Organisation, the UN Population Fund and CARE.”
“Australia has deployed two logistics specialists to assist with the distribution of supplies and the Australian Defence Force will continue to assist with distribution efforts.
“The ADF has conducted a comprehensive damage assessment of the Highlands Highway on behalf of the PNG authorities. Australia will provide up to A$1 million (K2.5mil) to support vulnerable women and children in the earthquake-affected areas, in partnership with UN Women, Unicef and UN Population Fund.
The Japanese government has assisted the relief efforts with K300,000 worth of goods.