SINGAPORE: Singapore has offered to deploy its heavy-lift helicopters, the Chinooks, to aid disaster relief efforts in Myanmar.

The Chinooks, which can ferry goods and equipment, were used in relief efforts in the 2004 tsunami-hit areas - especially in inaccessible areas.

Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Zainul Abidin Rasheed, told Parliament on Monday that the offer was made at the ASEAN-UN International Pledging Conference in Yangon on Sunday.

He said: "We also offered assistance in the form of the continued deployment of medical teams, logistics support, heavy-lift helicopters and water purification units. The assistance package will extend to the reconstruction of cyclone-affected areas."

Singapore had also pledged US$5 million in humanitarian aid. - CNA/vm