ADF soldiers to rebuild schools

SIX hundred Australian Defence Force personnel arrived last week on board HMAS Adelaide, carrying equipment and provisions including MRH-90 helicopters, four landing crafts, additional small boats, army engineers and construction teams from 6th Engineer Support Regiment, primary health care team and a small boat platoon.

The personnel onboard the vessel have been deployed to areas ravaged by STC Yasa on Vanua Levu and building temporary school facilities on Galoa Island.

They will work alongside the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

The Fijian Government had made specific request on rebuilding damaged schools to ensure children begin the official school year on January 18, 2021.

In response to this request, ADF deployed a diverse team including members of the 6th Engineer Support Regiment with logistics and support functions within HMAS Adelaide to augment the RFMF’s ongoing support and effort already on the ground.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama welcomed the personnel to our shores.

“All ADF personnel are working within the strict COVID-19 requirements provided by the Fijian Government through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to minimise COVID-19 exposure risk for the people of Fiji as well as deployed ADF members,” he said

Australia’s defence adviser to Fiji, Colonel Rob Haertsch said they would work with Fiji just like they did during STC Winston.

“Australia is a longstanding partner and friend of Fiji,” he said.

“Just like we worked together following STC Winston, we will work together again to come back from the destruction STC Yasa brought with it just days before Christmas.

“We’ll never forget the immediate and effective response Fiji showed us through the Bula Force during the bushfires we endured early this year.

“We will be here to support Fiji as best we can through this difficult time.”