Australia to send drone operators to Nepal, about 1,200 people killed
Australia will send a team of 15 drone operation specialists to Nepal for search and rescue operations. According to the latest data, about 1,200 people have been killed in flooding in the country, while approximately 4,200 more are considered missing, ABC News Australia reports.
Search and rescue operation
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that Nepalese authorities have involved about 20,000 people in the search and rescue operation. According to her, Australia has serious concerns about 38 of its citizens who are still considered missing.
The operators will use advanced drones for terrain mapping and thermal imaging. The group will include personnel from the fire and rescue services of New South Wales and Queensland. After this team is deployed, the total number of Australian personnel sent to Nepal will reach 34.
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Wong noted that search and rescue teams are working in extremely difficult conditions due to communication problems, destroyed infrastructure and the inaccessibility of many areas. According to her, the Nepalese military is conducting searches on foot with the support of helicopters and drones, including at locations where the Kailash and Royal Himalaya hotels are situated. Australia is also providing Nepalese authorities with telecommunications data that may help establish the last known location of the missing Australians.
Humanitarian assistance
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced an additional $3 million in humanitarian assistance for flood-hit Nepal. The total Australian humanitarian package has reached approximately $11 million.
An RAAF C-17A aircraft also arrived in Nepal with aid supplies: 1,440 hygiene kits, 576 menstrual hygiene kits, 2,200 solar lanterns and 432 shelter toolkits. According to Oxfam's estimate, about 50,000 people in Nepal do not have immediate access to clean water, toilets and hygiene supplies.
