Australia has significantly expanded its search, rescue and humanitarian response in Nepal following the devastating Bhotekoshi floods, deploying nearly 50 specialists and security personnel as the search continues for 36 Australian citizens still unaccounted for.
The Australian response includes specialist drone operators, disaster victim identification experts, consular officials, police personnel and humanitarian workers working with Nepali and international authorities.
A 15-member Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) has been deployed to Nepal following a request from the Nepali government.
The team includes specialists from Fire and Rescue New South Wales and the Queensland Fire Department, with drone operators using advanced technology for rapid mapping, aerial imaging and searches in areas that may be difficult or dangerous for rescuers to reach.
Australian Federal Police disaster victim identification specialists have also been deployed to assist with identifying victims and supporting recovery operations.
Australian government officials and social workers from Services Australia have arrived in Kathmandu to support affected families.
The Australian government said 36 Australian citizens remain missing following the August 26 disaster.
Most of the missing Australians were last known to have been in the Gyirong (Kerung) and Syabrubesi areas, close to the Nepal-China border. Australian authorities have provided telecommunications data to Nepali officials in an effort to narrow down their last known locations.
Search operations are being conducted in coordination with authorities in Nepal, China and India, while diplomatic and security officials in Kathmandu, Beijing, New Delhi and Canberra continue efforts to establish the whereabouts of those missing.
Australia has also established a family assistance hub at its embassy in Kathmandu to provide support and information to relatives of missing citizens.
Alongside the search operation, Australia has committed approximately A$11 million in humanitarian assistance for Nepal.
The funding is intended to support emergency shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, healthcare and other essential relief needs.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17 aircraft has already delivered nearly 24 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to Nepal. The assistance includes essential items for communities affected by the disaster.
Australians have also contributed millions of dollars through the Emergency Action Alliance. The Australian government has committed additional funding to match public donations and support recovery efforts.
The search for missing people remains extremely challenging because the floods destroyed roads, bridges and other infrastructure across the affected areas.
Rescue teams are also dealing with difficult terrain, disrupted communications and the remoteness of several locations along the Nepal-China border.
Despite the challenges, Australia has said it will continue supporting Nepal's search, rescue and recovery efforts. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told the Australian Senate on September 7 that the government was doing everything possible to locate missing Australians and support their families.
The Australian government has also expressed condolences to those who lost their lives and said its support will extend beyond the immediate emergency to reconstruction and recovery.
The latest Australian deployment comes as Nepal continues large-scale search operations following the catastrophic August 26 floods, which have left thousands dead or missing across Nepal and the Tibet region.
HamroBichar will continue to follow the international search and rescue effort and provide verified updates on the Bhotekoshi disaster.
Tags: Australia, Nepal Flood, Bhotekoshi Flood, Australian Citizens, Search and Rescue, Disaster Response, Nepal-China Border, Humanitarian Aid, Drones, 36 Missing Australians
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