ARMY TO DELIVER AID TO SOMALIA
Ministry to deploy troops and assets to send food, medicine supplies
THE Defence Ministry will mobilise troops and assets into Somalia soon. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said a team of soldiers, currently in
Saudi Arabia, would deliver humanitarian aid to Somalians, who are short of food and medicine following a prolonged drought in the country.
He said the decision was reached following a meeting with Somali Deputy Prime Min- ister Mohamed Omer Arteh Ghalib on Tuesday.
“During the meeting, he had requested the Defence Ministry to despatch food and medical aid, as well as medical personnel, to Somalia. I have informed the cabinet of the request during a meeting today (yesterday). The cabinet is pleased to approve the request.”
The team will consist of three officers and 17 members from other ranks from the army’s Royal Medical Corps, supported by a section of infantry detachment consisting of an officer and 10 men to provide protection to the team.
A Hercules C-130 aircraft will be mobilised to transport medicine and food supplies.
He said members of the Malaysian armed forces in Saudi Arabia were chosen for the task due to the experience and knowledge gained while training there.
Malaysia was also assisting Somalians in other ways, including gathering support and aid from countries that enjoy close relations with Malaysia, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Asean countries, Hishammuddin said.