Smart mission in Nepal starts
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The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) MAS-01 has arrived in Nepal to commence humanitarian assistance and search for the remaining 55 Malaysians unaccounted for. The 11-member team, currently stationed at a military camp in Trishuli Bazar, is expected to stay in Nepal for a duration of seven to ten days. Their primary task involves supporting search-and-rescue (SAR) operations amidst the aftermath of floods.
The team's journey began on Saturday, when they departed from Subang aboard a Royal Malaysian Air Force A400M transport aircraft. Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim, the director-general of the National Disaster Management Agency, informed about the team's arrival and their anticipated stay, but refrained from specifying the exact location of their camp.
Speaking about the team's capabilities, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Chang Lih Kang highlighted Malaysia's technological expertise, which he believes is adequate to handle complex SAR operations. However, he expressed uncertainty regarding the exact equipment the team will be utilizing. Chang also emphasized the significance of developing Malaysia's own technological capabilities, rather than depending on external expertise during major disasters.
He provided an example of how DNA analysis and space technology were instrumental during the Batang Kali landslide, aiding in victim identification and predicting potential landslides to secure rescue personnel.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
