PETALING JAYA: The deployment of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) remains subject to Nepal’s requirements and an official decision by the Nepalese government to accept Malaysia’s assistance.
In a statement on Sunday (Aug 30), the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) said it was carrying out Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive following the government’s decision to deploy SMART to Nepal to assist in search-and-rescue (SAR) operations after floods struck the country.
"The SMART personnel are on standby and ready to be deployed to Nepal.
"However, deployment remains subject to Nepal’s requirements and an official decision by the Nepalese government to accept Malaysia’s assistance," it said.
Nadma said to date, all coordination concerning the matter has been undertaken jointly with the Foreign Ministry.
"This state of readiness reflects Malaysia’s commitment to assisting international communities affected by disasters," it said.
The death toll from devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal and China's Tibet region has climbed to 750, while more than 3,000 people remain missing.
Among the missing are 55 Malaysians in Nepal and another 36 in China who remain uncontactable.
