The SCDF "Operation Lion Heart" rescue contingent returns from Yogyakarta today as disaster management there turns to long-term recovery operations. The contingent was deployed to the Indonesian island of Java on 28 May 2006, a day after the island was hit by one of the worst earthquakes in recent years. Other international aid search and rescue (SAR) teams which have departed Yogyakarta includes members of the French and Japanese SAR teams.

Throughout the contingent"s deployment at Bantul in the south of Yogyakarta, SCDF rescuers worked closely with the SAF, the local authorities, as well as the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) members to render SAR operations and other humanitarian relief efforts. This includes the recovery of a male adult at Gunung Kidual on 31 May who was found pinned under a 10-ton boulder measuring about 6m in length. Members of the DART and local rescuers had to track down a steep hill for about 15 minutes before reaching the victim in the 2-hour operation. A 10-ton hydraulic jack, telescopic ramp and a spreader and cutter set were used to free the body. SCDF rescuers were also deployed on a daily basis to jointly work with the SAF medical personnel to provide first aid and medical treatment to victims of the earthquake.

Meanwhile, SCDF"s 11-member medical team (comprising 1 doctor and 10 paramedics) continues to augment the SAF-SCDF medical contingent at Yogyakarta. As of yesterday, 4 Jun 2006, the SCDF medical team has treated about 300 patients at the district hospital, field medical station and areas which the mobile medical personnel have visited. The 19-member SAF-SCDF medical contingent arrived at Yogyakarta last Wednesday, 31 May 2006.

MAJ Alan Toh, SCDF"s representative to UNDAC, continues to facilitate and manage the influx of relief items at the UN Reception Centre at Yogyakarta Adi Sutjipto Airport. He is aided by 2 other SCDF info-communications specialists who also serve as SCDF"s APHP (Asia-Pacific Humanitarian Partnership) team responsible for setting up and maintaining critical communications capabilities at the Reception Centre. This is to facilitate UNDAC"s liaison and coordination of overall relief efforts.

The Operation Lion Heart is SCDF"s round-the-clock 24-hour "standby" contingent equipped to render rescue-related assistance and support to countries stricken by major disasters. The contingent was also previously deployed for the following incidents:

- Baguio City Earthquake, Philippines Jul 1990
- Highland Towers Condominium Collapse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Dec 1993
- Tai Chung County Earthquake, Taiwan Sep 1999
- Asian Tsunami Disaster, Aceh Indonesia Dec 2004
- Asian Tsunami Disaster, Khao Lak, Thailand Dec 2004
- Sumatra Earthquake, Nias Island, Indonesia Mar 2005
- Rokan Hilir Bush Fires, Sumatra, Indonesia Aug 2005
- South Asian Earthquake, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan Oct 2005