Malaysia seeks Nepal’s nod to deploy SMART team for flood SAR mission, says Tok Mat 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 31 — Malaysia has sought permission from the Nepalese government to deploy the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) to assist in search and rescue (SAR) operations following the floods in the country.

The matter was conveyed by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan during a phone conversation with his Nepalese counterpart, Shisir Khanal, on Monday.

“The discussion focused on the latest developments in the SAR operations, particularly efforts to locate Malaysians who remain uncontactable following the floods and landslides in Nepal recently,” Mohamad wrote on his official Facebook page.

He also expressed his appreciation to the Nepalese government for all the assistance and cooperation extended to the Embassy of Malaysia in Kathmandu in dealing with the situation.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was reported as saying that the Madani Government has decided to send the SMART Team to Nepal to assist with SAR operations following the flood disaster that hit the country.

Anwar said the SMART team was also tasked with locating and bringing home affected Malaysians, as well as assisting the Embassy of Malaysia in Nepal in coordinating aid and ensuring their safety and welfare.

He said Malaysia will also channel a contribution of US$1 million (RM4.02 million) to Nepal to assist affected victims and support post-disaster recovery efforts.

According to the Foreign Ministry, 55 Malaysian nationals remain uncontactable after flash floods and landslides struck on August 26.

Meanwhile, Anadolu Ajansi reported that the death toll from flash floods and landslides along the Nepal-China border had risen to at least 919, while nearly 4,800 people were reported missing, including 853 foreign nationals, according to authorities on Monday.

Six days after the disaster struck, SAR operations are still ongoing in affected areas, with authorities also working to reach workers stranded at several hydroelectric projects. — Bernama