|
|
Post by Admin (Annette Andria) on May 1, 2015 19:39:44 GMT 1
Announced early in week Chinook helicopters would be sent .
FRIDAY 01/05/2015 3 Chinook allocated and 1 said to be on way assumed by C17?
BBC REPORT
Three RAF Chinook helicopters are being sent to help the relief effort in Nepal, International Development Secretary Justine Greening says.
The helicopters are in addition to the £2.5m donated by the UK to the UN's Humanitarian Air Service.
The military and UN helicopters will ferry people and aid supplies across remote and hard-to-reach terrain.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin (Annette Andria) on May 1, 2015 19:42:58 GMT 1
The UK is to bolster its commitment to the relief effort in Nepal with the deployment of three Royal Air Force Boeing CH-47 Chinook HC3 heavy-lift helicopters.
A Boeing C-17 strategic airlifter has already been used to transport urgently needed equipment and personnel to the Himalayan nation following the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck on 25 April.
The quake destroyed most of the country’s already poor transport infrastructure and this, coupled with its mountainous terrain, is rendering the distribution of aid a logistical challenge.
The UK’s decision to send the Chinooks will significantly bolster the air-lift capacity in Nepal.
|
|
|
|
Post by Admin (Annette Andria) on May 15, 2015 20:12:38 GMT 1
15/05/2015
The Government has ordered the return of three RAF Chinooks sent to help Nepal's aid effort after they were barred from entering the country.
The heavy-lift helicopters were sent to assist in the earthquake relief effort two weeks ago but have been stranded at Chandigarh Airbase, north of Delhi.
The Nepalese Government is said to be worried the powerful aircraft will blow roofs off fragile houses or even cause them to collapse when taking off or landing.
Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said the episode had been "a shambles".
He said of the Chinooks: "They are exactly what is needed over in Nepal. They can carry up to 70 people at a push, so they can pick people up from mountain sides, carry a lot of aid around at one go and they can fly at altitudes which is important in a mountainous country like Nepal. They would be perfect for this mission.
|
|
