SINGAPORE, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Singapore will spend $12.2 million on direct assistance to its disaster-stricken neighbors in the next two weeks, and has pledged $3 million in cash.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the country would deploy about 700 people to Aceh and Thailand to help with the rescue efforts.
He pointed out this was 10 times the number of people the country would normally deploy. "We have never done this before on such a scale," he said.
Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean said there were already 200 Singaporeans in Aceh and 100 in Phuket helping in the search and rescue operations.
Four helicopters from the Singapore air force left for Phuket Thursday, after 2 Chinook helicopters had left for Aceh Wednesday.
Teo noted the Chinooks were particularly useful because they have a very heavy lift capability. They can lift 20,000 pounds, or carry 55 people.
The Singapore navy's landing ship tank will also sail to Western Sumatra on Friday.
