CONFIDENT IAL
2ND DRAFT
Hydrography
68.
An ocean survey ship, HMS Hydra, has completed surveys in the
Solomon Islands to facilitate the passage of large ships through
hitherto inadequately charted channels. She also surveyed areas
Last year,
of the Maldives, off Fiji, and in the New Hebrides.
coastal survey vessels, HMS Fox and HMS Fawn, carried out surveys
in the West Indies and Belize. The Ice Patrol ship, HMS Endurance,
continues her surveys in Graham Land and the South Shetland and
Falkland Islands.
MILITARY AID TO THE CIVIL COMMUNITY
The Caribbean
69. During September 1974, the Belize garrison provided assistance
both in Belize and neighbouring Honduras in the aftermath of
Hurricane Fifi; assistance involved infantry, engineers with powered
assault boats, a hygiene section and light helicopters, and a
Hercules aircraft for the movement of relief supplies. In addition,
the coastal survey vessels, HM ships Fox and Fawn, were diverted from
their normal programme to participate in relief work in the area.
The Middle East and Africa
70. The Army and Royal Air Force contributed to several famine relief
operations during 1974. Trucks were provided from Army stocks and
delivered via the trans-Sahara route or by the Royal Air Force to
the Sahelian region of West Africa, where they were used to help
distribute food.
71. In Ethiopia, Royal Engineers, supported by Army helicopters,
initiated a "Food for Work" road construction scheme, during which
over 100 km of basic road was built, and local inhabitants were
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CONFIDENTIAL