Dear Nepali community members,
First and foremost, we want to acknowledge the uncertainty and distress that your communities continue to endure. Australia stands with the people of Nepal and Nepali communities across Australia. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
We have been moved by the vigils, solidarity gatherings and fundraising activities held across Australia, which reflect the deep and enduring ties between Australia and Nepal. Australian parliamentarians have joined communities at several events to express Australia’s support and solidarity. We remain grateful for the patience, cooperation and support of Nepali community organisations and volunteers across Australia during this difficult period.
The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Assistant Minister for Immigration, held a second online consultation with Nepali-Australian community representatives today, 4 September. The consultation provided an update on the Australian Government’s response and heard further questions and concerns from the community.
We know many members of the Nepali-Australian community remain deeply concerned for loved ones and friends. We encourage anyone experiencing distress or anxiety to access the free mental health and wellbeing services available in Australia and to seek support from family, friends and trusted community networks. Information about free mental health and wellbeing services is available on the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
Australia’s humanitarian response
The Australian Government has committed $11 million to support urgent disaster response and recovery efforts in Nepal. This comprises:
- $5 million to the Emergency Action Alliance to support locally led recovery and rehabilitation, including the Australian Government’s matching of donations to the appeal
- $2 million to the World Food Programme for food rations, emergency shelter and logistics support
- $2 million to Australian NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership for emergency shelter, hygiene kits, blankets, essential health services and psychosocial support
- $2 million for hygiene kits, solar lighting and other essential supplies requested by the Government of Nepal.
A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A delivered 23.9 tonnes of Australian humanitarian and disaster relief supplies to Kathmandu on 2 September, including more than 2,200 household solar lights with phone chargers, community light-tower kits, generators, hygiene kits and other essential items. Australia continues to coordinate closely with the Government of Nepal on its evolving needs.
Six Australia Assists personnel are also supporting the humanitarian response in Kathmandu and Bidur, Nuwakot, providing expertise in areas including logistics, information management, engineering, needs assessment and psychosocial support. A further two Australia Assists personnel are expected to join the in-country response in the coming days.
Australia is also deploying a 15-person Disaster Assistance Response Team, including specialist drone operators from Fire and Rescue New South Wales and the Queensland Fire Department, to support Nepal’s search efforts. The team will use advanced drone technology to provide rapid mapping and imaging to assist Nepali authorities’ search, rescue and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke with Prime Minister Balendra Shah today, 4 September, to extend Australia’s deepest condolences and confirm that the Australian Government is providing urgently needed humanitarian supplies, equipment and specialised capabilities, and that we will do everything we can to find the Australians still unaccounted for. This followed Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s 28 August call with her Nepali counterpart, Shisir Khanal, during which she extended Australia’s condolences and offered search, rescue and recovery assistance. The Australian Government stands ready to provide further support.
Australia’s consular response
Australian officials are working around the clock to locate and support Australians affected by the disaster. We are working closely with families and have provided Nepali authorities with information that may assist efforts to locate missing Australians, including locations identified by family members and information about travellers’ last known movements. We continue to pass on any information received from families to support ongoing search and response efforts.
Australian officials continue to work closely with Nepali authorities to support efforts to locate and assist affected Australians. Information provided by families and other sources is being shared with relevant authorities to support ongoing search, rescue and recovery efforts.
Australian officials in Kathmandu are:
- Meeting directly with family members who have travelled to Nepal
- Engaging daily with Nepali authorities to seek information on search, rescue, recovery and identification efforts
- Contacting hospitals, tour operators and other organisations that may hold relevant information
- Following up on location information and other leads provided by families
- Working alongside Nepal Police and other agencies on matters relating to identification and information sharing
- Supporting next of kin through dedicated case officers and regular updates.
The conditions facing search and recovery teams remain extremely challenging. Communications are difficult, infrastructure has been destroyed and many areas are still difficult to reach.
We understand that most Australians who remain unaccounted for were last known to be in the Gyirong and Syabrubesi areas. We continue to work directly with Nepali authorities to gather information and support search and recovery efforts.
Australian officials remain in regular contact with Nepali and Chinese authorities and are monitoring information about people who have been rescued or are receiving hospital care.
Nepali authorities have advised us that searches are being conducted in the locations identified by Australia, including Hotel Kailash and the Hotel Royal Himalaya, amongst others. In both areas, army personnel are conducting searches on foot with helicopter and drone support.
The Australian Government is also providing telecommunication data to Nepali authorities, which may help narrow the last known location of missing Australians. We know most of the unaccounted-for Australians were last known to be in the Gyirong and Syabrubesi areas. Nepali search and rescue teams are on the ground in both areas and we are working directly with the authorities to gather any information that we can.
DFAT has also issued a Smartraveller Crisis Alert covering the Nepal and China floods and landslides. Australians in affected areas should continue to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor Smartraveller for updated safety information and travel advice.
Australians requiring emergency consular assistance, or those concerned about family or friends, should contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
- 1300 555 135 within Australia
- +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas.
You can also find information on DFAT’s dedicated Crisis Hub here.
We recognise community members may be raising concerns regarding missing family members who are not Australian citizens. The Australian Red Cross can assist and is already reaching out to diaspora communities as part of their Restoring Family Links service.
For community members in Australia seeking to contact or locate family members affected by the floods, they should contact tracing@redcross.org.au or call 1800 875 199.
Australia stands with Nepal during this difficult time, and we remain committed to supporting all those affected.