In the wake of the Typhoon Haiyan crisis in the Philippines, the efforts of transport, logistics and emergency management crews are keeping people alive.

The island nation was caught ill-equipped to transport food and medical aid to the innumerable crowds of people now displaced from their ruined homes.

Australia is doing its part, sending millions of dollars, dozens of trained professionals, and some incredibly helpful machinery – two RAAF heavy-lifting aircraft full of supplies and medical aid.

The Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster and a C-130J Hercules have barely stopped to re-fuel before taking off to deliver more vital assistance around the Philippines.

The total sum of Australian Government aid response to the typhoon has topped $30 million, including military vehicles and personnel, an Australian Medical Assistance Team and other services.

“The RAAF’s C-17A Globemasters provide an experienced and important capability when responding to disasters in our region. Sadly, our ability to respond rapidly has been called on in tragic circumstances in recent years to support missions following the tsunami in Japan and the Christchurch earthquake,” Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston said.

“The C-17A Globemaster and C-130J Hercules will be supported by a RAAF Mobile Air Load Team, an Aircraft Security Operations Team and Aero-medical Evacuation specialists. These personnel will be responsible for enabling the delivery of the medical specialists and their equipment to the Philippines,” he said.

The situation in the Philippines can just barely be described as ‘getting better’, with many receiving medical attention from sites that could only have been set up by the trained military logistics teams.

The Globemaster and Hercules have enabled Australian and international efforts to continue trying to restore hope, health, safety and security to nearly two million people left desperate, hungry and homeless.

A photo gallery of the ongoing efforts in Operation Philippines Assist is available here.