MEDAN, Indonesia : Emergency relief supplies have reached earthquake victims in the remote southern tip of Nias Island.
The RSAF airlifted some five tonnes of food and medical supplies to the victims who have been without food since the earthquake earlier this week.
The fishing village of Teluk Dalam may look idyllic now.
But it has borne some of the brunt of the recent earthquake.
The main road connecting the village to the city centre was damaged and Teluk Dalam was cut off without food, water and medicine - until the RSAF Chinook helicopter managed to land on a football field, to the relief of residents there, to distribute the much needed food and medicine.
Homes were destroyed and lives lost, including the unborn child of 24-year-old Muliana.
She suffered a miscarriage during the earthquake and was air-lifted to Gunung Sitoli for urgent medical treatment.
While more casualties were air lifted from Nias to Medan.
The medical team on board the helicopter said caring for patients, especially at such high altitudes, is a challenge.
Capt Doctor Elton Tay, SAF Doctor, said, "All the cases are varied. And we have to see them on a case by case situation. We are unsure about the kind of casualties we will receive. So we have to adapt, think and be quick on our feet. We also worry about the vibrations on the aircraft."
Besides sorties to Nias Island, the RSAF Chinook Squadron also made its first humanitarian relief operation to the island of Simelieu - another quake hit area - bringing essential food, water and medical supplies to the victims there. - CNA