Australia will increase aid to Indonesia and the Maldives by giving more equipment and expertise to help restore infrastructure ruined in the tsunami on Dec. 26, 2004.

Following requests for assistance from the Indonesian government, Australia will send urgently needed plastic water bottles and a public health team to further enhance the rehabilitation of communities in and around Banda Aceh.

Australian Defense Force personnel and a 23-member medical team will distribute the water bottles.

As requested by the Maldives government, Australia will help assess damaged critical airport navigational aids, aviation fire vehicles and equipment to restore safe aviation operational capability at the country's airports.

The focus will be on the assessment and restoration of civil aviation safety elements at airports controlled by the Maldives Airport Authority.

Airservices Australia's Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting division will assist in the Maldives.

Australian Attorney-General Philip Ruddock, who approved the requests of Indonesia and the Maldives on Friday, said in a statement he has approved a total of 11 requests for Australian government assistance from countries struck by the tsunami.

Emergency Management Australia (EMA) was coordinating assistance in conjunction with the federal, state and territory government authorities, and the business community, he said.

"The support for EMA's coordination activities from all levels of government, the business community, volunteers and the community has been excellent and has contributed to the smooth flow of expertise and materials into the region," he said. 

(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2005)