SAF Completes Delivery of Relief Aid to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam

Personnel from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) unloading the humanitarian aid supplies from the C-130 in Vientiane, Laos.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) successfully delivered humanitarian aid supplies to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam from 18 to 20 September. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) flew a total of 12 sorties in support of this mission, via a A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport and two C-130 transport aircraft.

The SAF delivered a total of 35 tonnes of relief aid¹. The Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC) consolidated a total of 20 tonnes contributed by the SAF and various local NGOs². The remaining relief aid was contributed by the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).

On the successful deployment of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said, “Once again, we witness how the SAF’s readiness to deploy for operations on short notice, directly translates to important and effective outcomes, whether it’s for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) or if ever the need arises, combat missions. I am also pleased with the seamless coordination between the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC), ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management (AHA Centre), and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to deliver needed aid supplies on short notice to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our regional partners and local NGOs. I hope the supplies go some way to bring comfort and support to those affected by Typhoon Yagi.”

[1] The relief aid comprised blankets, hygiene kits, water filters, collapsible water containers and meal packs from the SAF aid stockpile, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) as well as close non-governmental organisation (NGO) partners.

[2] Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief Initiatives (Singapore) Ltd (CHARIS), Singapore Red Cross, Relief Singapore and Humanity Matters.

Mr Sudesh Maniar (second from right), the Singapore Ambassador to Laos, and COL Low Puay Kng (first from right), Alternate Director Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC), handing over the humanitarian aid supplies to Mr Lee Bao Yang (second from left), Deputy Minister, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare in Vientiane, Laos.

LTC Jason Chai, SAF Mission Commander (Yangon) for Relief Aid of Typhoon Yagi at the handover of humanitarian aid supplies with Mr Benedict Tan, Charge d'Affaires a.i., Ms Gladys Respati, ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) Communications Officer, and Mr U Than Soe, Director of Department of Disaster Management, Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement in Yangon, Myanmar. (Left to Right)

COL Fredie Tan (fourth from right), Director Changi RHCC, and Mr Jaya Ratnam (third from right), the Singapore Ambassador to Vietnam, handing over the humanitarian aid supplies to Mr Nguyễn Văn Tiến (fourth from left), Deputy Director of the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) in Hanoi, Vietnam.

The RSAF’s A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) landing in Changi Air Base (East) after completing the delivery of humanitarian aid supplies.

COL Fredie Tan (first from left), Director Changi RHCC, and RSAF crew exiting the RSAF's MRTT after completing the delivery of humanitarian aid supplies.