Earthquake Disaster off the Coast of Padang, West Sumatera in Indonesia (Dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief Team [Japan Self-Defense Forces])

October 3, 2009
Japanese

On October 1, the Government of Japan decided to dispatch Japan disaster relief teams and to provide emergency assistance in response to the earthquake disaster that occurred off the coast of Padang, West Sumatera in Indonesia on September 30. On October 2, considering the extent of the damage, the Government of Indonesia requested that the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) be dispatched as well.
In light of the request, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs consulted with the Ministry of Defense regarding the dispatch of the JSDF unit as Japan disaster relief team. The Ministry of Defense will send a survey team to Indonesia for the purpose of dispatching a JSDF unit as Japan disaster relief team as swiftly as possible.

(Reference) Japan’s assistance provided to date

(1) Dispatch of Japan disaster relief teams

A rescue team is scheduled to be dispatched from October 1 until October 8 and is comprised of 65 members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Police Agency, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, the Japan Coast Guard, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). A medical team is scheduled to be dispatched from October 1 until October 14 and is comprised of 23 members including doctors and nurses affiliated with JICA.

(2) Provision of emergency assistance

Japan decided to provide emergency relief goods including tents, sleeping mats, blankets and power generators.

(END)