Australia's military will land in an earthquake-devastated Indonesian city on Thursday afternoon with equipment to make shelters for thousands of people.
More than 1200 people have died in central Sulawesi, which was hit with a quake and then a destructive tsunami last week.
An air force C-130 Hercules will land in the city on Thursday carrying clothes, bedding, tools, tarpaulins and food to help the 70,000 people displaced in the disaster.
The damage at Mutiara Sis Al-Jufri airport. Source: AAP
"It's critical to assist the people in need on the ground, especially people homeless," Captain Bryan Parker told reporters in Darwin on Thursday.
"Up to 70,000 people have been displaced from their homes, so this material is critical to continue to support those people in need."
The plane-load includes water purification equipment, and more equipment is on standby once the Australian Defence Force assesses what else is required.
Over the coming days Australian planes will deliver enough equipment to support 10,000 people.
More than 50 Australian medical professionals will provide emergency health support, as the government talks to Indonesia about what else might be needed.
Australia has committed $5.5 million so far to the relief effort after Friday's quake and tsunami.
"Australia will deliver more supplies in the coming days. We will continue to work closely with the Indonesian government to help people affected by this tragedy," Foreign Minister Marise Payne said.
Officials fear the death toll from the 7.5 magnitude quake will rise once they gain access to remote areas largely cut off since Friday.
Source: SBS News
