Malaysia Deploys SMART Team, US$1m Aid to Nepal Floods

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 4 — Malaysia will deploy an 11-member Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) to Nepal as early as Saturday, Sept 5, following official authorization from the Nepalese government to assist with search and rescue operations in flood and landslide-affected regions.

In a statement issued today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the specialized team will be equipped with high-capacity drones and dedicated technical equipment to support operations led by Nepalese authorities in hard-to-reach areas. Wisma Putra noted that the deployment remains subject to ongoing operational requirements and safety conditions on the ground.

Addressing the status of Malaysian nationals, Wisma Putra disclosed that 55 Malaysians remain reported as uncontactable as of Sept 4 following the catastrophe. An additional coordination team sent by the ministry has arrived in Kathmandu to assist the Malaysian Embassy in liaising with local authorities on search and identification efforts.

To support identification efforts, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Department of Chemistry Malaysia are actively collecting and analyzing DNA samples from immediate next of kin in Malaysia. Simultaneously, Wisma Putra is pursuing verification through diplomatic channels with Chinese authorities regarding potential overlaps between Malaysians reported in Nepal and those in Tibet, China, while extending an offer to provide search-and-rescue expertise to Beijing if required.

The ministry added that the Malaysian government will disburse US$1 million in direct humanitarian aid to Nepal, following an earlier announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Wisma Putra urged the public to refrain from speculating or sharing unverified information on social media while search and verification efforts continue through official diplomatic channels.

–NMT