Army troops to provide disaster relief
Operation Chariot which is a drive by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has arrived on the South Coast. Members of the SANDF set up camp at the weekend at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre in Gamalakhe. The army on the South Coast is part of the 10 000 troops that were sent
Operation Chariot which is a drive by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has arrived on the South Coast.
Members of the SANDF set up camp at the weekend at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre in Gamalakhe.
The army on the South Coast is part of the 10 000 troops that were sent by the Department of Defence to help flood-stricken KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). Troops in the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre told Fever that they are here to provide fresh water with their water purification systems, deliver food parcels and assist in any way possible.
They added that the first place they delivered water and donations was Izingolweni.
In a recent statement, the SANDF said the army will provide protection, support for mop-up work, extraction, technical assessments, and transportation of humanitarian relief equipment or goods, among others.
“The SA Army was instructed to activate 10 000 troops for Operation Chariot. The additional 45 companies will be in a readiness state to mobilise, when and if instructed to render support as part of the disaster relief teams in KZN. The deploying troops will include regulars and reserves, with the reserve capability that is on active call-up and already enlisted at their various reserve units where they are currently registered,” read the statement.
The statement added that the SA Army will render support as part of Operation Chariot in erecting field accommodation.
“The SA Army pledges include 31 x 10 000 litre water bunkers, three water provisioning systems, two water points with one litre bottled water/plastic sachets, a platoon of electricians and plumbers, 60 16×16 tents and bedding for the affected communities.”
In addition, the air force will provide air capabilities to help with disaster management efforts and activities like search and rescue, extraction, reconnaissance/assessment missions, and trooping transportation of humanitarian relief equipment of goods.
This will be in the form of two medium utility helicopters, two light utility helicopters, and a fixed wing aircraft.
“The South African Military Health Services (SAMHS) must provide operational health support in the disaster area of KZN. This will include providing medical support (including ambulances) to the SANDF in various positions in KZN as required to support the disaster relief efforts and providing doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and pharmacists as needed,” read the statement.
The SANDF said it will also provide logistics in the form of technical expertise to help in disaster management efforts and activities.
“Operation Chariot Force Structure Elements are deployed to the affected area in support of provincial disaster relief structures with specific disaster relief related tasks as authorised by the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS). The assistance of the SANDF is executed under Operation Chariot, which is a registered SANDF operation, where the SANDF provides humanitarian and disaster relief assistance to all South Africans, when and where required. This operation is authorised by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force,” read the statement.
