Govt to deploy SMART rescue team to flood-hit Nepal along with US$1m in aid

Malaysia has pledged US$1 million in financial aid to Nepal following devastating floods in the Nepal-Tibet region, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The National Security Council and National Disaster Management Agency, along with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, will coordinate the deployment of Malaysia's Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) to assist search-and-rescue operations.

The team will locate and bring home affected Malaysians, as well as support the Malaysian Embassy in Nepal's aid efforts and ensure the safety and welfare of affected citizens. Currently, 55 Malaysians remain unreachable in Nepal, with another 36 unaccounted for in China, and the situation remains fluid as contact is re-established and additional information becomes available.

The SMART deployment aims to strengthen Malaysia's direct response to the situation involving its citizens, in addition to supporting Nepal's broader rescue effort.