Eleven SMART personnel depart for Nepal with over 12 tonnes of gear
A Malaysian rescue team has deployed to Nepal to assist in search and rescue operations following severe floods and landslides. The team is tasked with locating 55 Malaysians who remain uncontactable in the region.
Why it matters
International humanitarian aid is essential for disaster recovery and ensuring the safety of citizens caught in natural catastrophes abroad.
SUBANG: An 11-member Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) has departed for Nepal to assist in search and rescue (SAR) operations following floods and landslides that have left 55 Malaysians uncontactable.
The team, comprising a commander and 10 personnel with specialised skills, departed alongside 31 Air Force personnel aboard an A400M Atlas at 9am on Saturday (Sept 5).
The team is expected to operate in Nepal for up to 10 days.
National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) director-general Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim said the team brought along 12.4 tonnes of equipment, including rescue and detection equipment, communication systems, high-capacity drones and specialised equipment for tunnel rescue operations.
"Our team is multi-skilled, with expertise in search and rescue, drone operations, logistics, communications and technical support," he said after the team's departure on Saturday.
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