UK military to end relief efforts in Aceh

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The British military will complete its relief mission in Aceh and North Sumatra provinces on Sunday, the British Embassy in Jakarta said.

The military team, which started work on Jan. 2, has been delivering aid to isolated communities in the tsunami-stricken areas.

"The Army Air Corps of helicopters, which is the last UK military presence to depart Aceh, has delivered more than 244,000 pounds of aid in 209 sorties, conducted 7 medical evacuations and transported 59 people who were displaced as a result of the disaster," the statement said.

The UK government pledged US$135 million for relief and recovery in Indonesia's tsunami-affected regions, while the British public contributed over $470 million in private donations for the relief efforts throughout the tsunami-affected Indian Ocean region.

The British military also contributed to the aid efforts through the deployment of a civilian-military team to help coordinate the joint Indonesian military, foreign military and UN relief operations.

"I am delighted with the contribution that British military personnel have made to the relief effort. Working with the Indonesian military, other foreign militaries and the UN agencies, British military units have worked expertly and with admirable enthusiasm," Charles Humfrey, the British Ambassador to Indonesia, said.

The Royal Air Force had also flown 11 heavy-lift C17 cargo aircraft flights into Aceh, delivering as much as 170,000 pounds of aid and equipment on each flight. --JP