Australian Navy Delivers Aid For Samoa Recovery

11 November 2009

The Royal Australian Navy's heavy landing ship HMAS Tobruk yesterday docked in Apia, the capital of Samoa, to deliver humanitarian aid coordinated by AusAID as part of the ongoing support to Samoa and Tonga following the tsunami that devastated parts of both island nations on 30 September.

The Samoan Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi and members of his cabinet were at the wharf yesterday to greet the Australians.

HMAS Tobruk's Commanding Officer, CMDR Peter Thompson, says the ship is loaded with over 500 tonnes of equipment and donations from Australia to assist Samoa and Tonga rebuild essential services damaged in the tsunami.

The Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Mr. Matt Anderson says the donation of relief aid including the Fire Truck from the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade will assist the communities greatly.

The AusAID relief package delivered by Tobruk also contains heavy earthmoving equipment and construction supplies to assist with the rebuilding operation, humanitarian aid and other items donated by non-government organisations in Australia. It also includes a large consignment of donated goods from the Australian community that was coordinated by the Samoan and Tongan High Commissions in Australia.

The delivery of this aid will bring the total assistance by the Australian Government, non government organisations and Australian communities to Samoa and Tonga to thirteen million dollars.

Gallery

View HMAS Tobruk's Operation Samoa Assist images.