Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
<p>It was created in 1990 in response to various disasters, especially the <a href="/facts/Spitak_Earthquake/XDoftJrd">earthquake in Armenia</a> in 1988.
</p><p>AFDRU is specifically designed to be deployed in other countries. The unit can be airlifted within 10 hours of receiving orders, and carries enough equipment to operate on its own for two weeks. 
</p>
<h2 id="deployments">Deployments</h2>
<p>The unit has been active in many disasters, in particular in Iran during the <a href="/facts/Bam%2c_Iran/0A1XpWAH">2003 earthquake</a> and in <a href="/facts/Sri_Lanka/VtTBmysE">Sri Lanka</a> following the <a href="/facts/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake/GpHsI7Wu">tsunami disaster</a> in 2004.  
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<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20010711021055/http://www.bundesheer.gv.at/organisation/beitraege/abcabws/english/org_s3_abcab_eng_afdru.shtml">English page on AFDRU</a> on the website of the Austrian federal army (<a href="/facts/Military_of_Austria/JNHJ8mgK">Bundesheer</a>).</li></ul>

Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit open-in-new

Austrian Forces Disaster Relief Unit