Malaysia seeks Nepal's nod to deploy Smart team for rescue operations

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has requested Nepal's government approval to deploy the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) to help with search and rescue efforts following recent floods and landslides in Nepal. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan informed Nepal's Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal about the situation during a phone call on Monday.

The conversation centered on the ongoing SAR operations, with a focus on locating Malaysians still uncontactable due to the recent floods and landslides in Nepal.

Mohamad expressed gratitude to the Nepalese government for the support and cooperation extended to the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu. On Sunday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia would send the Smart team to Nepal to aid in SAR operations, locate affected Malaysians, and assist the Malaysian Embassy in coordinating aid and ensuring the safety and welfare of those affected. Malaysia has pledged to contribute US$1 million to aid the victims and support post-disaster recovery efforts in Nepal.

According to the Foreign Ministry, 55 Malaysians remain missing after flash floods and landslides hit the country on August 26. Anadolu Ajansi reported that the death toll from the disaster along the Nepal-China border has risen to at least 919, with nearly 4,800 people reported missing, including 853 foreign nationals. SAR operations continue in the affected areas, with authorities working to reach stranded workers at hydroelectric projects.