PETALING JAYA: Help is on its way from Malaysia, with humanitarian groups preparing teams for deployment to flood-hit Nepal as early as Wednesday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) will be sent to Nepal to assist in search and rescue operations following the devastating floods in the country.
He said the National Security Council and the National Disaster Management Agency, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, have been tasked with coordinating with the Nepalese government to facilitate the deployment of the team as soon as possible.
“The SMART team has also been tasked with locating and bringing home Malaysians affected by the disaster, assisting the Malaysian Embassy in Nepal in coordinating aid, and ensuring their safety and welfare,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.
Anwar said Malaysia would also contribute US$1mil (RM4.02mil) to Nepal to assist those affected and support post-disaster recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, Mercy Malaysia president Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus said a team is expected to be sent there pending final logistical arrangements.
“We have been in active contact with our partners and authorities in Nepal since the disaster struck. Arrangements have also been made with the Foreign Ministry and we have the go ahead,” he said when contacted.
Ahmad Faizal said the first team being sent in will perform both assessment and aid distribution duties, and will be stationed there for two weeks to provide medical assistance as well as mental health and psychosocial support.
United Sikhs Malaysia president Sunil Shukvir Singh said the association has a team of 10 volunteers ready to be deployed once approval is given for volunteers to access ground zero.
“From the information we have gathered, volunteers are not yet allowed to enter the site. Once the situation allows volunteers in, we will go on the ground,” he said.
Sunil Shukvir said the 10 team members have vast experience, having been involved in humanitarian missions such as at the recent Hat Yai floods in Thailand, the Myanmar earthquake, and also the Sri Muda and east coast floods locally.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Red Crescent (MRC) is appealing for public support to assist communities affected by the severe flash floods in northern Nepal.
“The MRC appeals to the public and organisations across Malaysia to stand in solidarity with the people of Nepal and contribute to the humanitarian response.
“Contributions received will support relief and recovery efforts for communities affected by the floods,” it said, urging members of the public who wish to contribute to direct their donations to official MRC channels.
