27 US lawmakers urge Rubio to expand rescue and aid efforts in Nepal

Twenty-seven members of the US Congress have urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to use “every available resource” to support rescue operations and humanitarian relief after devastating floods in Nepal.

In a letter dated September 4, the lawmakers said an August 26 glacial collapse and landslide in the Himalayas triggered flash floods along the Trishuli and Bhotekoshi river corridors. The disaster devastated communities in Nepal and Gyirong County on the Chinese side of the border.

They said that, as of September 4, more than 1,300 people had been killed and at least 4,000 remained missing. At least 75 US citizens were among those missing, according to the letter. The lawmakers welcomed initial US support, including $500,000 provided through Catholic Relief Services and $3.6 million in humanitarian assistance announced on August 29, but said the scale of the disaster demanded a larger response.

The letter called for daily updates to families of missing Americans and Congress, fully staffed consular hotlines and repatriation assistance. It also urged the State Department to send a Disaster Assistance Response Team to affected communities to help with search and rescue, logistics, medical services and coordination with local authorities and other organizations.

The lawmakers asked the United States to work with interagency partners, defense agencies, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and commercial satellite companies to deploy high-altitude assets, thermal and infrared drones and aerial imagery. They also urged officials to explore phone-location data, coordinate with Nepali and Chinese disaster authorities, and speed up additional relief and reconstruction support for Nepal.

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Every available resource