Singapore today joined global humanitarian efforts for quake-hit Nepal, offering 100,000 dollars and medical and search-and-rescue teams.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote a condolence letter to his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala over the massive loss the country has suffered following the devastating earthquake, the worst in over 80 years.
Lee wrote in his letter that Singapore stands ready to assist those affected by this tragedy.
“The Gurkhas in our Gurkha Contingent must be worried about their families back home. Our thoughts are with them,” Lee wrote in a Facebook post. Singapore has a special Gurkha Contingent in the police force.
The premier said he is relieved to hear that a group of Singaporeans climbing the Mount Everest for ‘SG50’ celebrations to mark 50 years of the city-state’s independence this year is safe.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law K Shanmugam also conveyed his condolences to his counterpart Mahendra Bahadur Pandey and informed him of Singapore’s contribution and offers of assistance.
“The Singapore government expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Nepal,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
Singapore government will make a contribution of SGD 100,000 to support Nepal’s disaster relief efforts. The contribution is seed money to kick-start the Singapore Red Cross appeal for donations in the city-state, it said.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will send a team of 15 medical personnel, together with staff from the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Coordination Centre to Nepal, the Ministry of Defence said today.
A Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 aircraft will provide airlift support to send the Singapore relief contingent to Nepal.
A 55-member search-and-rescue team from Singapore Civil Defence Force and a contingent of officers from the Singapore Police Force will also be on the flight, local media reported.
The devastating earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale has killed nearly 2,000 people and injured over 5,000 others.