First aid arrives in Vanuatu
(B2) As we indicated (read: Typhoon in Vanuatu, the Commission releases 1 million euros in aid), the French forces in New Caledonia were very quickly mobilized towards Vanuatu. As soon as the air links were restored, a first relief plane was dispatched to the scene.
First assessment team and first humanitarian cargo...
A CASA from Air Base 186 thus carried out a return trip to Port Vila, from 15:16 p.m. on Sunday (March 30), allowing the on-site delivery of a six-person assessment team made up of four FANC soldiers (l non-resident defense attaché in Vanuatu, an infrastructure engineering adviser, a transmitter and an electrician), a member of civil security in New Caledonia and a member of the Red Cross. Also on board the CASA were a light all-terrain vehicle P4 as well as a generator and means of transmission. A mission above all destined to strengthen the team of the French Embassy so as to enable it to establish a communication bridge from Vanuatu as a matter of priority (most networks are down) and to define priorities regarding the needs of the affected population” we explain to the General Staff of the armies. A second rotation was then organized, with humanitarian freight.
Maritime reconnaissance
In addition, a maritime patrol aircraft - a Navy Falcon - was made available to carry out an initial reconnaissance of the many islands in the Vanuatu archipelago. Aid, carried out in conjunction with the two other countries in the region (Australia and New Zealand) within the framework of the FRANZ (FRance Australia New Zealand) agreement, with the aim of exchanging information and to ensure the best use of resources in relief operations during cyclones and other natural disasters in the region. Commercial links have resumed between the archipelago and New Caledonia, indicates the French Embassy in Fiji.
(NGV)
