Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong has confirmed the number of Australians missing in the devastating Nepal floods has increased overnight from 35 to 39. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
In a statement, Wong said the government was “rapidly mobilising consular and humanitarian support in response to the catastrophic floods along the Nepal-China border, including through a $5 million assistance package for affected communities.”
“We understand at least 39 Australians are among those reported missing. Australian officials are working urgently to confirm their welfare and provide assistance to those affected,” she said.
She said the government would send an initial team of three humanitarian response specialists “within the next 48 hours” to help Australian staff already on the ground.
“The extraordinary scale of this disaster and the remoteness of the affected region mean immense challenges lie ahead for the response and recovery,” she added.
Nepal floods: situation
The floods on the Nepal-China border have become one of the most severe natural disasters in the region. Many people are missing, and infrastructure has been heavily damaged. The Australian government is taking all necessary measures to assist those affected.
Australian officials are continuing search efforts. Consular staff, together with local authorities, are trying to locate Australian citizens.
International aid
The Australian government has offered a $5 million assistance package. These funds will be directed to humanitarian aid in affected areas. Additionally, a team of three humanitarian specialists will be sent to the region within the next 48 hours.
According to Wong, the scale of the disaster and the remoteness of the region complicate response and recovery. Nevertheless, the Australian government is ready to provide full support to those affected.
Conclusion
The floods in Nepal have become a major tragedy for Australians. The rising number of missing people is concerning. The Australian government is taking all necessary measures and providing assistance to those affected. The fate of the missing Australians is still unknown, but officials are making every effort to determine their whereabouts.