Ottawa sends officials to Nepal as search for missing Canadians continues: Anand

OTTAWA - The federal government has dispatched 10 officials to Nepal to assist Canadians impacted by catastrophic flooding, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who announced this on Monday. The officials, including a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), are actively involved in locating missing Canadians and providing support to affected families.

Anand emphasized in a social media post that the top priority is to locate and confirm the safety of Canadians and permanent residents while extending all necessary support.

The flooding, triggered by a glacier collapse in the Himalayan border region that straddles Nepal and China, resulted in approximately 800 deaths and left about 3,000 individuals unaccounted for. As of Monday, 30 Canadians and permanent residents are still missing, a figure that could fluctuate as additional information becomes available.

Anand expressed deep empathy for the hardship experienced by families and communities, assuring that the government remains in constant communication with all affected parties through designated points of contact and a collective meeting held on Monday.

The Canadian government has pledged $5 million in urgent humanitarian aid to aid Nepal. Global Affairs Canada confirmed on Monday that the officials in Kathmandu are collaborating with various stakeholders, including trekking companies, hospitals, local police, rescue centers, airlines, and other Canadian travel industry partners.

The aim is to gather critical information, establish contact with affected Canadians, and aid in confirming their whereabouts. The department highlighted that the deputy high commissioner of Canada to India is among the 10 officials present in Nepal.

Canadian officials are working in close coordination with Nepalese and Chinese authorities, as well as international partners such as the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, France, Japan, Italy, and Singapore. This collaborative effort is focused on sharing vital information and bolstering the search and rescue operations. The RCMP has also deployed a liaison officer to Nepal, whose role includes providing assistance and identifying the specific needs for the on-the-ground support.

Additionally, the RCMP has engaged with INTERPOL, leveraging their expertise and forensic equipment to bolster the overall response.

In response to the severe flooding and resulting damage, Canada's travel advisory for Nepal and China was updated on Monday. The advisory now recommends against non-essential travel to the affected regions due to the substantial destruction caused by flash floods and mudslides, along with the persistent risk of additional flooding. This advisory was issued by the Canadian government to ensure the safety of its citizens and travelers.