OTTAWA — The federal government has deployed 10 officials to Nepal to assist Canadians affected by catastrophic flooding, as announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand on Monday. This team includes a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who is actively working to locate missing Canadians and provide support to families impacted by the disaster.
In her statement shared on social media, Minister Anand emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring the safety of Canadians and permanent residents. "Our priority is to locate Canadians and permanent residents and confirm their safety while offering support wherever and whenever possible," she noted.
The tragic situation arose after a glacier collapse in the Himalayan border region between Nepal and China resulted in flash flooding, claiming approximately 800 lives and leaving around 3,000 individuals missing. Following this catastrophic event, Anand reported that one Canadian, previously unaccounted for, had been found safe. However, as of Monday, there are still 30 Canadians and permanent residents reported missing, with the possibility that this number may fluctuate as information continues to emerge.
Minister Anand expressed deep empathy for the families and communities affected by the disaster, stating, "We recognize with empathy the profound impact that this situation is having on families and communities across our country." She confirmed that the government is maintaining direct communication with all families affected by this crisis, establishing designated points of contact and conducting collective meetings to provide updates and support.
In light of this humanitarian crisis, the Canadian government has pledged $5 million in urgent humanitarian aid to support relief efforts in Nepal. Global Affairs Canada also announced that its officials are actively engaging with various stakeholders, including trekking companies, hospitals, local police, rescue centers, airlines, and other travel industry partners to gather critical information, establish contact, and help account for affected Canadians.
Among the officials on the ground, the Deputy High Commissioner of Canada to India is present in Kathmandu. The department highlighted the cooperation between Canadian officials and their Nepalese and Chinese counterparts, in addition to international partners such as the Five Eyes alliance, France, Japan, Italy, and Singapore, all working collaboratively to share information and support efforts aimed at locating and assisting Canadians affected by the flooding.
Furthermore, the RCMP has deployed a liaison officer to Nepal to facilitate assistance and assess the immediate support needs on the ground. The RCMP is also utilizing the INTERPOL network to further aid in the recovery efforts, offering forensic equipment and expertise as necessary.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Canada's travel advice for Nepal and China has been updated to warn against non-essential travel to the affected areas. This advisory is a precautionary measure due to the widespread damage caused by the severe flash flooding and mudslides, as well as the risk of potential further flooding.
