KUALA LUMPUR: Families of Malaysians who went missing following the recent flash floods in Nepal are hopeful for some news from the field following the Nepali government’s approval of the deployment of the Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) from Sept 5.
Muhammad Firas Shah Shabuddin, the youngest child of Shabuddin Mun, one of 10 Malaysians from Team Loe heading to Everest Base Camp (EBC), expressed relief about the latest development.
"I feel a bit happy, because it’s been a week or more waiting without any development… I do really hope my father is safe and we have our team (SMART) being deployed.
"At least with their deployment, I hope to get an answer as soon as possible (about my father’s status) when they begin operating there,” he told Bernama when contacted on Friday (Sept 4).
He related how his family has handled the pressures of waiting for any news, adding that his mother had displayed exceptional strength and was the emotional pillar whom other members were relying on emotionally at this point.
Firas also spoke about trying to remain calm and rational, explaining that his family was focused on keeping each other strong, with the support of various parties, including their extended family and relatives.
The 11-member strong SMART is expected to be deployed tomorrow and will assist search efforts by local Nepali authorities, especially in areas requiring technical expertise and specific operational capabilities.
The Nepali government had previously only allowed rescue teams from certain countries to operate, including China, India and South Korea, before approving SMART’s deployment.- Bernama
