Singapore offers disaster relief assistance to Japan following earthquakes

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s Ministry of Defence has offered its disaster relief assets to help Japan in recovery efforts following the twin earthquakes in southern Japan.

The Republic has offered to deploy a Needs Assessment and Survey Team from the Changi Regional HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) Coordination Centre (RHCC) said a MINDEF statement on Monday (April 18).

In a letter to Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani sent on Monday morning, Singapore’s Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen conveyed the Republic’s condolences and offer of assistance.

Dr Ng also said that the Changi RHCC was ready to be deployed if required. The Changi RHCC could help Japan’s Self-Defense Forces coordinate military assistance from foreign militaries, said the MINDEF statement. Through a comprehensive assessment of the situation in the affected areas, the RHCC also seeks to enhance information-sharing and operational coordination among the militaries.

At least 42 people have died, and nearly 1,100 people have been injured following the two quakes that hit the region near Kumamoto city late Thursday and early Sunday.

The US military on Monday joined relief efforts as local rescuers combed through debris looking for 10 people still reported missing.

A US Army UC-35 aircraft landed on Monday at a Japanese military base near Kumamoto. Nine people died in the first, magnitude 6.4 earthquake, and 33 in the second quake, which registered 7.1, revised from an initial reading of 7.3.

“We’re glad that we’re able to support in any way the Japanese government needs us,” said Ms Jacqueline Hearne, a public affairs officer for the US Army, which together with the Air Force and Navy, has around 50,000 troops based in Japan.