The Royal Australian Navy's heavy landing ship HMAS 'Tobruk' arrived in Apia, the capital of Samoa, on November 10 to deliver humanitarian aid coordinated by AusAID as part of the ongoing support to Samoa and Tonga following the tsunami that devastated parts of both island nations on September 30.
The Samoan Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, and members of his cabinet were at the wharf to greet the Australians.
HMAS 'Tobruk's' Commanding Officer, Commander Peter Thompson, said the ship had been loaded with over 500 tonnes of equipment and donations from Australia to assist Samoa and Tonga rebuild essential services damaged in the tsunami.
The Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Matt Anderson, said the donation of relief aid including the fire truck from the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade would assist the communities greatly.
"Having the latest equipment means they can bring the latest in fire fighting techniques to bear as soon as they're able to. It's a capacity to save lives," Mr Anderson said.
The AusAID relief package delivered by 'Tobruk' also contains heavy earthmoving equipment and construction supplies to assist with the rebuilding operation, humanitarian aid and other items donated by non-government organisations in Australia.
It also includes a large consignment of donated goods from the Australian community that was coordinated by the Samoan and Tongan High Commissions in Australia.
