SINGAPORE (Bernama): Singapore will send humanitarian supplies and personnel to Nepal to support relief efforts following severe flash floods near the Nepal-China border, the Foreign Ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry said Singapore Police Force (SPF) officers specialising in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) would be deployed at Nepal’s request, while civilian and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) supplies would also be delivered.
Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan conveyed the assistance during a phone call with his Nepalese counterpart, Shisir Khanal, on Monday.
"In addition, the government will deliver humanitarian assistance comprising both civilian and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) supplies to Nepal," the ministry said.
The latest assistance is in addition to Singapore’s US$100,000 (RM403,000) contribution on Friday to the Singapore Red Cross’ (SRC) public fundraising appeal for relief efforts in Nepal.
To date, the SRC has raised about S$1 million (RM3.16 million).
The Foreign Ministry said its Crisis Response Team has been deployed to Nepal since Aug 27 to provide consular assistance to affected Singaporeans.
"The Singapore Government will continue to work closely with the Nepal government on the provision of our humanitarian assistance,” it added.
The death toll from devastating flash floods and mudslides along the Nepal-China border has climbed to at least 919, while nearly 4,800 people remain missing, including 853 foreigners, authorities said on Monday, six days after the disaster, Anadolu Ajansi reported. -- BERNAMA
