OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 11/15/13 -- Another deployment of Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) personnel and equipment departed 8 Wing Trenton this evening, bound for the city of Iloilo in the Philippines.
To further support Operation Renaissance, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has deployed the Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU) to the Philippines. Set up and maintained by the Water Production Detachment, of the DART Engineer Troop, the ROWPU can purify up to 50 000 litres of safe drinking water per day, provided in bulk to the DART medical aid station and available for distribution to local residents.
This flight also included multiple pallets of medical supplies that will be used by CAF medical personnel who will form mobile first aid teams, capable of providing critical initial care and triage to Filipinos living in the provinces of Capiz and Iloilo, among some of the hardest hit areas of the Philippines.
"The Government of Canada is deeply moved by the plight of the Filipino people," said the Hon. Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence. "I am proud of the quick response demonstrated by departments and agencies across the Government of Canada to support relief efforts in the Philippines."
Today's departure brings the total number of personnel deployed to support Operation Renaissance to approximately 200 CAF and Department of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Development personnel.
The following capabilities are currently deployed to the Philippines:
-- The Inter-Departmental Strategic Support Team (ISST);
-- 1 x CC-144 Challenger used to transport the ISST to the Philippines;
-- The Humanitarian Assistance Reconnaissance Team;
-- The Advance Party and two elements of the Main Body of the DART,
including engineering, medical, logistical, defence and security
personnel and equipment;
-- 1 x CC- 150 Polaris used to transport DART personnel to the Philippines;
and
-- 3 x CC-177 Globemaster III to help transport personnel and equipment to
the Philippines.
"Canadians can be proud of the speed with which their Canadian Armed Forces have responded to this tragic situation," said General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff. "The people of the Philippines need help, and on behalf of Canada, we're providing it."
Note to Editors:
Notes to editor / news director:
Video b-roll and still imagery of ongoing DART deployment, please visit the following forcesimages.ca webpage.
Video b-roll and still imagery of previous DART preparing to deploy is also available for media download at this site.
For more information regarding the CC-177, please visit the following CC177 Globemaster III web page.
For more information regarding 8 Wing Trenton, please visit the following 8 Wing web page.
For more information regarding the DART, please visit the following DART web page.
Contacts:
Information: 1-866-377-0811/613-996-2353
www.forces.gc.ca
