The Hon Kevin Rudd MP
The Hon Stephen Smith MP
Mr Smith’s Office: Mary Bagnall (02) 6277 7800
Mr Rudd’s Office: Kate Sieper (02) 6277 7500 or 0466 745 615
Department: (02) 6127 1999 (Defence) or (02) 6261 1555 (DFAT)
MEDIA RELEASE
Kevin Rudd MP
Stephen Smith MP
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Defence
M E D I A R E L E A S E
23 October 2010
Australian Medical Task Force
completes initial aid mission in Pakistan
The Australian Medical Task Force has successfully completed its aid mission in Pakistan and is
returning to Australia.
The AusAID and Australian Defence Force (ADF) led Task Force was deployed at the request of the
Pakistan Government to help relieve the immediate burden on local medical services following the
devastating floods in July 2010.
Comprising approximately 180 Defence and civilian doctors, nurses, paramedics and support
personnel, the Task Force provided primary medical care to the flood affected people of Kot Addu in
central Punjab from 2 September 2010.
“Australia’s early intervention has helped ensure the humanitarian emergency in the region did not
intensify,” said the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Kevin Rudd.
“Since the ‘Camp Cockatoo’ medical facility in Kot Addu opened its doors, over 11,000 flood affected
people have received much needed medical treatment.”
“During the medical mission, Australian doctors and nurses treated over 3,000 cases of malaria.”
“The conditions in Kot Addu have now improved, and locally-based services are able to effectively
manage their own medical needs, and Australian assistance is transitioning to meet the on-going needs
of reconstruction.”
The United Nations reports that over 90 per cent of people in Punjab have returned to their homes and
local hospitals are returning to their normal caseloads.
In addition to the medical Task Force, the Australian Government has committed $75 million in
humanitarian, early recovery and reconstruction assistance to Pakistan since the floods began.
Australia is continuing to provide assistance through United Nations agencies, Australian non-
government organisations (NGOs), and the Red Cross. There are currently 11 Australian experts
assisting United Nations agencies in Pakistan, and other Australians on the ground to support the work
of our NGOs.
The Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, said the ADF and AusAID mission played a life-saving role
in the Kot Addu area during the peak of the flood crisis.
“Members of the Task Force have worked hard to bring medical aid to the people of Pakistan during
this unprecedented disaster. The Government thanks the military and civilian personnel who made this
operation possible,” he said.
Page 2
Mr Smith’s Office: Mary Bagnall (02) 6277 7800
Mr Rudd’s Office: Kate Sieper (02) 6277 7500 or 0466 745 615
Department: (02) 6127 1999 (Defence) or (02) 6261 1555 (DFAT)
“Our relationship with the people of Kot Addu, the Pakistan Military and the Government of Pakistan
has been strengthened through the efforts of the Australian contribution to the relief effort,” Mr Smith
said.
Imagery available at:
Vision pooled by Channel 7 at Parliament House, Canberra
NEWS 
