MFA Spokesman's comments in response to media queries on the status of Singapore's involvement in Nepal in the wake of the earthquake on 25 April 2015

In response to media queries on the status of Singapore’s involvement in Nepal in the wake of the earthquake on 25 April 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Spokesman said:

“The Singapore contingent in Nepal will return home over the coming days as the Nepalese authorities have announced the end of search and rescue operations.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, Singapore responded to Nepal’s call for international assistance and quickly mobilised personnel from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force), Singapore Armed Forces, Ministry of Health and the Health Sciences Authority for deployment to Nepal. MFA also despatched a Crisis Response Team to Kathmandu.

The Singapore contingent comprised a total of 182 officers. Apart from providing consular assistance to Singaporeans stranded in Nepal, its mission included search and rescue and disaster recovery operations; disaster victim identification; provision of field medical assistance and relief to the injured and sick; and to support the Nepalese authorities’ coordination of relief efforts.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) mobilised its C-130 aircraft to transport personnel, equipment and relief supplies to Nepal, and operated a total of eight flights between Singapore and Nepal to date. In addition to transporting the Singapore Contingent, the C-130s also helped airlift medical personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and a French member of the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team into Nepal. The RSAF also evacuated a total of 95 Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and foreign nationals from Nepal.

The Singapore Contingent attended to more than 2,500 injured or sick Nepalese people. Medical supplies have been given to the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) currently in Nepal to provide medical relief to the local population. Humanitarian aid supplies have also been transferred to Nepalese networks. A team from the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Coordination Centre also worked within Nepal’s Multi-National Military Coordination Centre, supporting the Nepalese military to coordinate the relief efforts.

The Singapore government contributed $250,000 through the SRC to help the Nepalese people.

Singapore hopes that our assistance will make a tangible difference to the lives of Nepalese survivors during this very difficult period.”

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

8 MAY 2015