SCDF to send team for relief efforts in Laos; US$100,000 donated to S'pore Red Cross
Residents on rooftops surrounded by floodwaters in Attapeu province after a dam collapsed on Monday, July 23, 2018.
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Government will make a contribution of US$100,000 (S$136,000) as seed money to kickstart a public fundraising appeal by the Singapore Red Cross that will aid in the flood relief efforts following the collapse of the Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydropower dam in Laos.
In a press release on Wednesday (July 25) night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) also said the Singapore Civil Defence Force is set to send a team of officers to help with the disaster relief efforts, including conducting needs and risk assessments.
“The SCDF team will also bring and operate water purification equipment so that there is clean drinking water for the affected population,” said the MFA.
It added that besides the SCDF, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is prepared to deliver humanitarian supplies and equipment, including tents, meal rations, bottled water, medical supplies, and rubber dinghies to help the relief efforts.
“The SAF also stands ready to deploy a team from the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre to support the Lao People’s Army’s relief efforts on the ground,” said MFA in its statement.
Some 131 people are still missing two days after the dam collapsed in Attapeu province in the secretive communist state, swamping several villages in the country’s south, and killing at least 26 people.
In a letter to the President of Laos, His Excellency Bounnhang Vorachith, President Halimah Yacob said that she is “deeply saddened by the loss of lives and devastation caused” by the collapse of the dam.
“On behalf of the people of Singapore, I convey our heartfelt condolences to you and the people of Laos,” said Madam Halimah.
She added that Singapore stands ready to offer assistance in the relief effort and that “our thoughts are with the Lao PDR and its people during this difficult time”.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in a letter to the prime minister of Laos, said: “On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I extend my deepest sympathies to the Lao Government and all those affected by the disaster.”
He added that the SCDF and SAF “stand ready to despatch personnel as well as deliver emergency equipment and supplies to support the disaster relief efforts and search and rescue operations”.
“Please let me know if we can be of further help. Our thoughts are with the Lao people in this time of grief,” said Mr Lee.
Besides Madam Halimah and Mr Lee, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan have also written letters to their counterparts to express their condolences.
