Government seeks specialised international support for rescue and victim identification

The government has sought specialised international assistance to support ongoing search, rescue and victim-identification efforts following the devastating floods of August 26.

For victim identification, the government has sought DNA-testing assistance from the United States and Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) support from Singapore, says Monday’s press statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). 

Singapore has already extended its readiness to deploy a DVI team as well as provide drone support for ongoing search and relief operations. 

The government has also sought high-capacity specialised equipment from China, while its broader immediate requirements include freezers, LiDAR equipment, DNA and forensic capabilities and other specialised rescue and emergency-response equipment. The government has not, however, publicly attributed each of these individual equipment requirements to specific countries. Japan and South Korea are also expected to provide additional specialised materials in the coming days.

Meanwhile, India has deployed an 18-member team of forensic experts specialising in DNA analysis to assist with victim identification. Nepal has also sought specialised tunnel-rescue assistance from India, China and the Republic of Korea, with teams from all three countries supporting ongoing rescue operations. An 11-member Indian team and a nine-member Chinese team have been mobilised, while South Korea has also provided specialised rescue expertise.

Beyond the immediate rescue and relief phase, Nepal expects to require substantial international assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction, including the restoration of damaged houses, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure. The specific requirements will be determined through a detailed Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), MoFA’s press release says.

The government has already received rescue and relief support from India, China, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Korea and other countries and partners, including bridge units, freezers, generator sets, solar lamps, DNA testing kits, emergency relief equipment, tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets and medicines.