Malaysia’s SMART team returns from Nepal humanitarian relief mission early this morning

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) has returned to Malaysia early this morning after completing a humanitarian relief mission in Nepal. The team, led by Senior Fire Superintendent I (PgKB 1) Abdul Manaf Che Isa, departed Kathmandu at 3 pm yesterday and touched down at 2 am at RMAF Subang Air Base.

Prior to their arrival, all 11 members of the team underwent health screenings and were deemed fit to return. The Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, had previously indicated that the team would be back on Saturday or Sunday. Upon their return, the team handed over their equipment, including drones, to rescue organizations in Nepal, who will utilize them to assist in search operations following recent flash floods and landslides in the region.

The team had arrived in Kathmandu on Sept 5, carrying 12.4 tonnes of search and rescue (SAR) equipment.