Australia will deploy a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A aircraft carrying humanitarian supplies, equipment and personnel to Nepal as the federal government announces a further $3 million in assistance following devastating floods along the Nepal-China border.
The latest package takes the Australian Government’s total humanitarian assistance for the disaster to $8 million, as rescue and recovery operations continue in difficult conditions.
Of particular concern for Australia, 42 Australians remain unaccounted for.
The government said authorities were continuing efforts to confirm their welfare and provide assistance to their families and loved ones.
“This is an extremely anxious time for their families and loved ones. They are understandably desperate for news, and our thoughts are very much with them,” the government said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that Australian Defence Force resources would be used to deliver urgently needed assistance.
“In the coming days, an Australian Air Force C-17A will depart carrying humanitarian supplies, equipment and personnel to support communities devastated by the floods,” Mr Albanese said.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those Australians who are still missing.”
The government said the scale of the disaster, the conditions on the ground and the remoteness of the affected region were creating major challenges for rescue and recovery teams.
Damage to roads and bridges has also complicated efforts to reach affected communities and deliver emergency assistance.
There are now 12 Australian response personnel in Kathmandu, including crisis response specialists, consular officers and Australian Federal Police members. They are working alongside Australian officials already based in Nepal.
The Nepalese government has requested emergency supplies, including hygiene kits and solar lighting equipment.
Of the additional $3 million announced by Canberra, $2 million will go towards emergency supplies and other humanitarian assistance, with the Australian Defence Force responsible for their delivery.
The RAAF is expected to transport the first supplies from Queensland to Nepal in the coming days.
The deployment of a C-17A gives Australia the capacity to transport substantial quantities of humanitarian cargo, equipment and personnel as Nepal responds to the disaster.
The remaining $1 million from the latest assistance package will be directed to the Emergency Action Alliance appeal.
The government said Australians had responded strongly to the appeal, with public donations reaching $1.4 million.
Canberra’s additional contribution brings the Australian Government’s funding for the EAA appeal to $2 million.
The money will support Australian non-government organisations working with local partners involved in recovery and rehabilitation in flood-affected communities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for International Development and Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly said Australia would continue supporting Nepal as the response moved from immediate rescue operations towards recovery.
The government said it remained in close contact with Nepalese authorities and expected further Australian assistance could be provided as needs became clearer.
The humanitarian mission comes as authorities face the difficult task of reaching communities isolated by damaged infrastructure while searches continue for people who remain missing.
For Australian authorities, locating the 42 Australians who remain unaccounted for is also a major priority as consular and crisis response teams work from Kathmandu.
Australians wishing to contribute to the humanitarian response can donate through the Emergency Action Alliance.
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