Foreign Ministry to brief families of Malaysians missing after Nepal disaster

Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, Wisma Putra, is preparing to assist families of Malaysian citizens who remain missing following a devastating flash flood and landslide in the Nepal-Tibet border region on August 26. The ministry, in collaboration with the National Security Council (MKN) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), will hold a briefing for the affected families.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that his ministry is ready to facilitate travel for families wishing to go to Nepal to obtain the latest updates on their missing relatives. "Wisma Putra, MKN, and other agencies will meet and brief the families. If the families want to go to Nepal, we will try to arrange it to ensure they can get there," he said.

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Wisma Putra, MKN and other agencies will meet and brief the families. If the families want to go to Nepal, we will try to arrange it to ensure they can get there.

However, reaching the disaster site itself presents significant challenges due to damaged infrastructure, including collapsed bridges. "Getting to the scene is indeed difficult because communications are disrupted and bridges are also cut off," Mohamad added.

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Getting to the scene is indeed difficult because communications are disrupted and bridges are also cut off.

Wisma Putra is maintaining close contact with Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the MKN, and relevant agencies to monitor the situation. A 24-hour operations room has been established to oversee developments and coordinate assistance efforts for affected Malaysians. The Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu is operating continuously, with additional staff deployed to manage support needs, particularly for families seeking information about their missing loved ones.

Regarding search and rescue operations, Nepal has indicated it does not require international SAR teams, drawing on its experience managing similar operations after past earthquakes. Instead, the country has requested financial contributions to support relief and recovery efforts for victims. "Nepal said no (SAR teams needed) because based on their experience during the earthquake a few years ago in Kathmandu, it is difficult to manage these SAR teams. They have requested that each country help Nepal through financial contributions because they really need financial aid," Mohamad explained.

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Nepal said no (SAR teams needed) because based on their experience during the earthquake a few years ago in Kathmandu, it is difficult to manage these SAR teams. They have requested that each country help Nepal through financial contributions because they really need financial aid.