SMART prepared for Nepal deployment, with logistics and personnel on standby, says commander

PUTRAJAYA, Sep 2 — The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) has personnel and logistical capabilities on standby for a potential deployment to Nepal, according to Commander Senior Fire Superintendent I (PgKB I) Abdul Manaf Che Isa. The team's readiness encompasses both physical and mental preparedness, as well as the provision of specialized equipment, communication systems, and medical resources to support on-ground operations.

This state of preparedness enables SMART to be swiftly mobilized based on the scale and form of deployment, once instructions are received to carry out the mission.

However, the Nepalese government has yet to confirm the number of personnel required for the mission. Therefore, SMART is prepared to operate as a light, medium, or skeleton team as needed. The mission's nature — whether focused on search and rescue (SAR) or Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) — hinges on Nepal's decision and current priorities. As of today, SAR efforts in Nepal are primarily concentrating on tunnel rescue, which is actively being undertaken by teams from China, India, and Korea.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously stated that SMART would contribute to SAR operations in Nepal, including the task of locating and repatriating affected Malaysians. Additionally, SMART would assist the Malaysian Embassy in Nepal in coordinating aid and safeguarding the well-being of Malaysians impacted by the disaster.