[UPDATED] Smart team deployed to Nepal for humanitarian mission [WATCH]

An 11-member Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) has set out for Nepal today to provide humanitarian aid following catastrophic floods in the nation. The team left Subang Air Base around 9am on a Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) A400M aircraft, transporting communication equipment among other supplies. Accompanying the team are 31 RMAF personnel, including pilots and flight crew.

Commander Abdul Manaf Che Isa, leader of the Smart mission, announced that the team would fly to Kathmandu prior to moving to areas designated by Nepalese authorities for further aid. The Smart team's primary objective is humanitarian, with specialist equipment prepared for tunnel rescue operations, medical and health resources on board.

The team's commander prayed for the mission's success as he addressed reporters before leaving. Reports indicate that the Malaysian government chose to deploy Smart to Nepal to aid in search and rescue (SAR) efforts following a significant flood disaster on August 26. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reportedly informed the National Security Council and National Disaster Management Agency that the Foreign Ministry would coordinate with the Nepalese government to deploy the team swiftly.