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The Australian Defence Force is providing assistance to the Fijian government in their response to Tropical Cyclone Yasa.
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Personnel are working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to support the Fijian government to provide assistance to thousands of Fijians, including many from remote islands devastated by the category-5 cyclone.
In the immediate aftermath of the cyclone, the ADF sent emergency humanitarian supplies to Fiji on board two RAAF C-17A Globemasters, with a third flight on 4 January. Two RAAF P-8A Poseidon aerial assessment missions also provided the Fijian government with an early picture of the scale of the damage in remote locations.
On 24 December, HMAS Adelaide deployed from Brisbane with more than 600 specialist personnel, equipment and provisions on board.
Commanding Officer of Adelaide Captain Stuart Watters said while it was a difficult time to deploy, timing was key to ensuring Fijian children could return to school.
CAPT Watters said, “The Fijian government requested Australian government support for repair and remediation works focused on education infrastructure to enable students to resume school on 18 January. This meant we had to deploy as early as we could to meet this important deadline, meaning family and friends of those embarked wouldn’t have their loved ones around on Christmas Day.”
Construction teams have been working in COVID-19 bubbles for reparation and remediation works in support of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), who only a year ago were providing support during the Australian bushfire emergency.
Personnel have provided assistance to clear debris and prepare for works on school buildings, delivered disaster relief supplies to be distributed by the RFMF and assisted the RFMF to purify and provide clean water.
Commanding Officer of 6th Engineer Support Regiment Lieutenant Colonel John Venz said personnel were happy to support their Fijian family.
“Galoa Island has suffered significant damage, particularly to their school infrastructure, including classrooms, the teachers’ quarters and also a kitchen building. I'm really proud to be here supporting our Fijian family, our Pacific family, especially after their efforts to come and support us during the bushfires in our country,” LTCOL Venz added.
In line with the Fijian government’s COVID-19 protocols, all personnel in Adelaide and those already ashore underwent a third and final COVID-19 test.
“We've been absolutely committed to making sure that we strictly follow the agreed protocols on a COVID adherence, so the entire ship has tested 100 per cent for COVID prior to leaving Brisbane. We've also conducted tests for 100 per cent of the personnel who are proceeding ashore during the initial phase and they’ll be operating inside quarantine bubbles,” CAPT Watters added.
