Singapore to send police team, humanitarian supplies to aid Nepal flood relief efforts: MFA

Singapore plans to send a police team and humanitarian supplies to assist Nepal in their ongoing flood relief efforts, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan confirmed this during a conversation with his Nepalese counterpart, Shisir Khanal, on August 31. The Singapore Police Force will deploy officers skilled in disaster victim identification to Nepal, as requested by the Nepalese authorities.

The Singapore Government will also contribute additional civilian and Singapore Armed Forces supplies to Nepal, on top of the US$100,000 (S$127,000) previously pledged to the Singapore Red Cross' public fundraising effort. This fundraising has raised approximately $1 million so far. The MFA's Crisis Response Team has been deployed to Nepal since August 27, providing consular assistance to affected Singaporeans in Nepal.

The disaster has resulted in over 900 deaths and nearly 5,000 people missing since the waves of water, rocks, and debris struck villages near the Nepal-China border on August 26. Nine Singaporeans are reported missing. Balakrishnan expressed condolences to Nepal and praised the country's disaster relief efforts, while also thanking the Nepalese government for their support in the search for the missing Singaporeans.

The Nepalese government also expressed gratitude for Singapore's assistance. The Singapore Government plans to continue working closely with Nepal on the provision of humanitarian aid, the MFA stated.