French health minister heads to Sri Lanka

The French health minister was heading for Sri Lanka today to start a continuous airborne supply operation from France to the Indian Ocean island hit by Asia’s tsunami disaster.

Philippe Douste-Blazy, accompanied by a team of French epidemiologists, was taking water purification equipment and medicines recommended by the World Health Organisation to help stem the possible outbreak of epidemics, the ministry said.

France has said it would coordinate European and international aid for Sri Lanka, together with officials there.

Separately, a French team including 70 rescue workers, doctors and technical experts was leaving southeastern France today for a two-week mission to Indonesia to set up a mobile hospital in Sumatra, officials said.

France is also deploying two navy ships to the region – a helicopter carrier and a frigate, which are to leave on Tuesday from a base in the east African country of Djibouti, a navy spokesman said. The final destinations of the vessels has not been determined yet.

A military transport plane will also leave tomorrow carrying 12 tons of water-purification equipment and medicine to the region, said military officials, without providing details.

A chartered flight from the private company Europ Assistance returned on Saturday carrying 30 injured French citizens. The plane had also brought back nationals from six other European countries.