SPF and HSA officers deploy to Nepal for disaster relief efforts, MFA also pledges humanitarian supplies
A team of 19 officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) departed for Nepal on 1 and 2 Sept to support ongoing disaster relief efforts.
Another 14 SPF officers are expected to follow over the next few days.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
SPF and HSA officers deploy to Nepal on 1 and 2 Sept
According to an SPF Facebook post, the team of 19 comprises 17 SPF officers and two officers from the HSA’s Forensic Medicine Division.
They departed for Nepal on 1 and 2 Sept following a request from the Nepali authorities.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
The Singapore team will support local authorities with disaster relief efforts following the deadly flash floods along the Nepal-China border.
Over the next few days, SPF plans to deploy another 14 officers to bolster the relief efforts.
Singapore contingent includes DVI and aerial surveillance specialists
Photos show Sim Ann, Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Second Minister for Home Affairs, sending off the advance team at Changi Airport on 1 Sept.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
In total, the 33-member contingent is led by Contingent Commander Assistant Commissioner of Police Patrick Tan.
It includes officers specialising in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and aerial surveillance, who will provide support to the Nepali authorities in these areas.
MFA also pledges humanitarian supplies to Nepal
On 31 Aug, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said Singapore would be sending humanitarian supplies and personnel to Nepal.
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook
The latest tranche of humanitarian assistance comes on top of the Singapore Government’s US$100,000 (S$127,000) contribution to the Singapore Red Cross’ (SRC) public fundraising efforts on 28 Aug.
As of 31 Aug, the SRC had raised around S$1 million.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ (MFA) Crisis Response Team has been in Nepal since 27 Aug to provide consular assistance to affected Singaporeans.
Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal also expressed appreciation for Singapore’s assistance.
Nine Singaporeans remain missing after devastating flash floods
As of 2 Sept, The Kathmandu Post reported 1,127 deaths and 4,858 people missing in Nepal.
Source: UNICEF
Separately, the Associated Press, citing Chinese state news agency Xinhua, reported that at least 21 people have died in China, while another 541 remain missing.
MFA said the Nepal government has also been assisting in the search for nine missing Singaporeans:
- Rengarajan Prabu
- Shalinny Deavy Elan Sozan
- Subramaniam Diraviam
- Rajesvaran Ayyavoo
- Estee Loeh
- Ghosh Aditi
- Ng Kit Kuen
- Shubakshi Rawla
- Sumit Rawla
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Featured image adapted from UNICEF and Singapore Police Force on Facebook.
