KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 - The Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) is still waiting for the Nepalese government's approval to deploy a search and rescue (SAR) mission following devastating floods and landslides in the Himalayan country.
SMART commander Senior Assistant Fire Commissioner (PgKB 1) Abdul Manaf Che Isa said no response has been received from Nepalese authorities yet.
He said SMART is on standby and ready to deploy as soon as approval is given.
"Operational assets, equipment and personnel are on standby for immediate deployment," he said.
Manaf added that the relief mission is coordinated by the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), the National Security Council (MKN), and the Foreign Ministry, alongside SMART.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said the government decided to send SMART to Nepal to help with SAR operations following the deadly floods.
He said SMART has also been tasked with locating and bringing home affected Malaysians, and that the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu will coordinate aid to ensure their safety and welfare.
Wisma Putra said that 55 Malaysians remained unreachable following the flash floods and landslides in Nepal's Rasuwa District on August 26.
