A 42-member Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) rescue contingent departed for Padang, West Sumatra, this evening via Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 flights. The rescue contingent, which comprises experienced officers from SCDF's elite Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team (DART), will assist the Indonesians in their search and rescue operations in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck West Sumatra on Wednesday. The Singapore Government is also working with the Indonesian authorities to expedite the delivery of our contribution of US$50,000 worth of emergency relief supplies, including temporary shelters, blankets, medicines and electric generators.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
2 OCTOBER 2009