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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Wednesday 29 April 2015 – Brunei Darussalam, in particular the Ministry of Defence and Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) is sending a team of one RBAF medical officer, four RBAF paramedics and three personnel from the Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) to Nepal to support the humanitarian relief assistance after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country last Saturday, 25 April 2015 which left more than 5, 000 dead and more than 10,000 injured.
This relief effort mission is codenamed ‘OPERASI KUKRI’.
The OPERASI KUKRI team is led by Lieutenant Colonel Dr Muhd Hiza Wardy bin Haji Abd Halim.
It is made up of Sargeant Mahadir bin Sata, Corporal Mohd Luqueminol Hakimi bin Haji Ahmad, Lans Corporal Mohd Hafedi bin Kunal and Corporal Muhd Hidayat bin Abu Bakar, whom are from the Combat Service Support Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF).
Meanwhile personnel from GRU are Major Bishankumar Rai Dewan, Dr Santosh Giri and Sargeant Gorakh Raj Rai.
All these personnel will support in medical aid and other disaster relief effort.
The Brunei relief contingent to Nepal received a sending-off ceremony and presentation of Brunei Darussalam’s Flag this afternoon at the Brunei International Airport, Berakas. Once they arrive in Nepal, they will join other humanitarian volunteers and emergency service crews.
One of the many efforts undertaken by RBAF to enhance its capabilities is its effective contributions to peace missions and human relief efforts both domestically and internationally. Hence this relief effort to Nepal is part of the country's contribution to the global community consistent with the emphasis stipulated in the Defence White Paper as well as its initiative to keep defence diplomacy among friendly nations alive.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam as the Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the RBAF during the RBAF 49th anniversary in a titah, underscored the importance of participating in international operations as a way to develop the capabilities of the RBAF. His Majesty expressed the wish to see a continuation in RBAF's involvement in overseas peacekeeping missions. His Majesty stated that it would benefit Brunei's diplomatic relations with other countries in the field of defence. "Our contributions in these teams have placed Brunei as a contributor to international security," said His Majesty.
Present at the sending-off ceremony were Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat, Deputy Ministry of Defence, Yang Dimuliakan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Major General Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Tawih bin Abdullah, Commander of RBAF, and other members of the Defence Executive Committee.