Nepal Floods: 11 SMART Members Deployed, Expected to Focus on Last Known Locations of Malaysians
SUBANG: A total of 11 members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) have been deployed to Nepal to carry out search and rescue (SAR) missions following the disaster that struck the country.
National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) Director-General, Datuk Meor Ismail Meor Akim, said the team is expected to focus on the last known locations of Malaysians.
However, Meor Ismail stressed that the primary objective of the mission is humanitarian, with the SMART Team searching for and rescuing all victims regardless of nationality.
“In this search operation, we do not discriminate on who the victims are; we will save everyone. Whoever is there, we will rescue because we do not know where our people are.
“Alhamdulillah, this morning after receiving approval from the Nepalese government, the SMART operation commenced and departed.
“Although the number of personnel deployed is small, this team is specifically formed with various expertise covering search and rescue, drone operations, logistics, communications, and technical support,” he said when met after the Send-off Ceremony for the SMART Team for the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Mission to Nepal at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base here on Saturday.
Elaborating further, he said the operation is led by SMART Commander, Senior Fire Officer 1 (PgKB 1) Abdul Manaf Che Isa, and 10 members with various expertise including search and rescue, drone operations, logistics, communications, and technical support.
He said the 10-day mission uses an RMAF A400M Atlas aircraft, which also carries approximately 12.4 tonnes of operational equipment.
This includes rescue equipment, detection devices, communication systems, high-capacity drones, and specialised tunnel rescue equipment.
Meor Ismail said the mission also includes 31 RMAF crew members, along with a four-wheel-drive vehicle and a 10-tonne cargo truck to support field operations.
He explained that the team is expected to receive initial briefings to operate in tunnel areas, but the actual location and scope of operations can only be identified after an on-site briefing.
“The deployment location for the SMART Team will only be known after we arrive there. Upon arrival, we will receive a briefing and be received by the Malaysian team there.
“After that, we will be briefed on the operational area,” he added.
He also expressed appreciation to RMAF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their cooperation and assistance in making the SAR mission a success.
Meanwhile, Abdul Manaf informed that the SMART Team will be stationed in Kathmandu before being deployed to designated locations.
“SMART’s location is in Kathmandu. The team will be coordinated by the Local Emergency Management Agency together with Wisma Putra to be deployed to designated locations,” he explained.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia would deploy the SMART Team to Nepal to assist in SAR operations in the country.
The SMART deployment also reflects Malaysia’s commitment to assisting disaster-stricken countries, while prioritising the safety and welfare of affected Malaysians.
The government will also channel a contribution of US$1 million to Nepal to assist flood victims and support post-disaster recovery efforts in the country.
As of Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that the number of Malaysians still uncontacted following the floods and landslides in Nepal remains at 55 people.
Astro Awani