The Australian Defence Force personnel on board Australia’s largest Navy Ship, HMAS Adelaide will commence work alongside the Republic of Fiji Military Forces from today to establish temporary school facilities on Galoa Island in the Northern Division that were heavily damaged during Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
HMAS Adelaide has arrived in Fiji with specialised personnel, equipment and provisions to assist in the Fijian government TC Yasa rehabilitation efforts in the Northern Division.
The HMAS Adelaide is carrying four MRH-90 helicopters, one MRH-90 helicopter, four landing craft and additional small boats, army engineer and construction teams from the 6th Engineer Support Regiment, a primary health care team and a small boat platoon.
On specific request by the Fijian Government, the Australian Defence Force has deployed a diverse team to add to the RFMF’s ongoing support and effort already on the ground.
All Australian Defence Force personnel are working within the strict COVID-19 requirements provided by the Fijian Government through the Fijian Ministry of Health and Medical Services to minimise COVID-19 exposure risk for the people of Fiji as well as the deployed ADF members.
Australia’s Defence Adviser to Fiji, Col. Rob Haertsch says Australia is a long-standing partner and friend of Fiji and just like working together following TC Winston, we will work together again to come back from the destruction TC Yasa brought with it just days before Christmas.
He says they will never forget the immediate and effective response Fiji showed them through the Bula Force during the bushfires they endured early this year and they will be here to support Fiji as best they can through this difficult time.
