Dispatch of the Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team in Response to the Tsunami Disaster in Maldives

December 28, 2004

The Government of Japan decided to dispatch the Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team from Wednesday, December 29 to the Republic of Maldives, which was struck by a devastating tsunami caused by the large-scale earthquake that occurred off the coast of Sumatra, the Republic of Indonesia. The medical team will be composed of 10 members, including officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, doctors, nurses, etc.
Japan decided to dispatch the Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team to Maldives from the standpoint of providing humanitarian assistance to the victims afflicted by the tsunami and in view of the friendly relations between Japan and Maldives.
Prior to this decision, the Government of Japan decided on Monday, December 27, to extend emergency assistance in kind, equivalent to 9,700,000 yen, including tents, blankets, electric generators, plastic jerry cans and portable water tanks, to the Government of the Republic of Maldives.

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It is reported a great tsunami disaster caused by a large-scale earthquake that occurred off the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, around 10:00 on December 26(Sunday), hit Maldives, flooding about two thirds of Male, the capital, leaving 52 persons dead and several thousands afflicted.
On December 26 (Sunday), the Government of Maldives declared a State of National Disaster and established an emergency relief headquarters, calling on international community for assistance. In the evening of the same day, taking account of the seriousness of the disaster, Maldives requested the Government of Japan for such emergency assistance as dispatching medical team and emergency aid.

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