Nepal disaster: Families of Malaysians still unaccounted for to receive briefing tomorrow

Families of Malaysians still missing after flash floods and landslides along the Nepal-Tibet border will receive a briefing from the Foreign Ministry, National Security Council, and relevant agencies tomorrow, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced. The meeting aims to provide updates on the search efforts for the missing Malaysians.

If the families desire, the government will attempt to arrange their travel to Nepal, though reaching the site is challenging due to communication issues and damaged bridges, Hasan explained during a press conference following the Ziarah Kasih programme at Taman Kelab Tuanku, Mambau. He assured that the National Operations Room at Wisma Putra is monitoring the situation around the clock and maintaining contact with Nepal's Foreign Ministry, NSC, and other agencies.

The Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu also provides daily updates, and extra staff have been allocated to assist affected Malaysians. While many previously marked as missing have been located, some Chinese authorities reported reaching additional individuals on their side of the border, though their nationalities remain unconfirmed.

Hasan noted Nepal did not require foreign search and rescue teams, as they have managed similar operations since the Kathmandu earthquake several years ago. Instead, Nepal has requested countries to provide financial contributions to support relief efforts, a need that the World Bank has acknowledged with a statement of assistance.

Representatives from the ministry and the operations room will join a media meeting with NGOs in Kuala Lumpur the following day to address questions and offer further updates on the missing Malaysians.