Mon, Apr 14, 2003
Operation Baghdad Assist Is Underway
A RAAF C-130 Hercules transport delivered almost
seven tonnes of urgently needed medical supplies to Baghdad
hospitals over the weekend as Australia responded to the growing
threat of a massive humanitarian crisis in Iraq.
Another two Sydney-based C-130s, loaded with medicines and basic
hospital equipment are expected to reach Iraq within days as part
of Operation Baghdad Assist.
Security Team On Board
The supplies delivered over the weekend were flown by
helicopters from HMAS Kanimbla in the Persian Gulf. They
included donations from United States forces and the Kuwaiti
government. The plane that delivered it with a security team of
commandos was the first Australian aircraft to touch down at
Baghdad International Airport since it was captured by coalition
forces earlier this month.
Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill said the Sydney
government would take stock of Iraq's urgent medical needs over the
next few days and decide then what to send in future shipments.
"We're told the hospitals are functioning - not easily - but
functioning with sufficient medical staff," Senator Hill said.
"What they needed badly was further medical supplies so we're
meeting that need."
There have been reports that entire operating rooms have been
dismantled, that armed looters are taking everything they can
unbolt from local hospitals. Some patients are leaving. Others are
reportedly being left unattended in their hospital beds. Iraqi
nurses were reportedly arming themselves with rifles to prevent
further looting. But Senator Hill said he's confident that
Australian aid would get through to the people who need it most.
Hill said there were signs order was being restored in Iraq as
coalition forces began to enforce discipline.
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