By Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh, The Straits Times, 27 Apr 2015
Last night, two C-130 aircraft, carrying contingents from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), set off for the Himalayan state.
<<Relief Efforts begin for Nepalese Earthquake>> Tonight, two C-130s took off to help in the Nepal Earthquake rescue...
Posted by Ng Eng Hen - Defence Minister on Sunday, April 26, 2015
Nepal is struggling in the aftermath of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck on Saturday, leaving thousands dead.
Among the men and women who set off for Nepal was a team of six from the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre. They will help the Nepalese authorities coordinate relief efforts.
Also on board the aircraft was an SCDF search and rescue team.
Another aircraft, with a contingent from the police, including members of its Gurkha unit, and a second batch of SCDF officers, is scheduled to leave this morning.
Gurkhas are trained Nepalese who serve in foreign militaries; Singapore's Gurkha contingent has been active since 1949.
As Singapore's leaders authorised this wave of assistance for Nepal, they took to social media to express their condolences to the Nepalese nation and made special mention of Singapore's Gurkhas.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday that the Gurkhas in Singapore must be worried about their families and friends back home. "Our thoughts are with them," he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean visited the Gurkhas here yesterday morning.
"We thank the many generations of Gurkhas for your service to Singapore," Mr Teo, who is also the Home Affairs Minister, said on his Facebook page.
"We thank the many generations of Gurkhas for your service to Singapore," Mr Teo, who is also the Home Affairs Minister, said on his Facebook page.
Visited our Gurkhas this morning. Briefed on situation in Nepal. Our thoughts are with our officers and families. We...
Posted by Teo Chee Hean on Saturday, April 25, 2015
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen pledged on Facebook that the SAF will do more for Nepal if needed. "Let us help and pray for (the people of Nepal) in this moment of despair and grief," he said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) sent a crisis response team to Kathmandu yesterday morning to help Singaporeans looking to leave Nepal. The team is based at Kathmandu International Airport.
The MFA hopes to arrange for Singaporeans to depart Nepal via the C-130 aircraft carrying aid and personnel from Singapore.
It has contacted most of the registered Singaporeans in Nepal, and has not received reports of injured Singaporeans so far, said the ministry.
However, some are still uncontactable, likely due to the local communications network being disrupted, it said.
The earthquake that struck near Nepal's capital of Kathmandu also set off an avalanche on Mount Everest.
Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said on his Facebook page that he was glad the Singaporeans attempting to scale Mount Everest are safe.
Some of them have decided to stay to help other camps that have been badly affected, and he wished them a safe journey.
Senior Minister of State for Education and Law Indranee Rajah wrote on her Facebook page: "In our inter-connected world, no one is untouched by tragedies like this. We are a small country, but where we can, we must also do our part."
#NepalQuakeRelief Update: Our hearts go out to the thousands affected by the massive earthquake in Nepal. Our airmen...
Posted by The Republic of Singapore Air Force on Monday, April 27, 2015
Thank You, Mr Masagos.
Posted by Singapore Civil Defence Force on Sunday, April 26, 2015
#NepalEarthquake Thank you for reaching out and offering your help and donations for the Nepal Earthquake. It is much...
Posted by Singapore Red Cross on Monday, April 27, 2015
Red Cross, Mercy Relief appeal for urgent donations
The Straits Times, 27 Apr 2015
The Straits Times, 27 Apr 2015
SINGAPORE humanitarian organisations are sending relief supplies and emergency assistance to Nepal, and are appealing for urgent donations from the public.
The Himalayan state was rocked by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake on Saturday that has left more than 2,300 dead.
In a statement yesterday, the Singapore Red Cross said it will send $50,000 worth of relief items and emergency supplies to Nepal.
Mercy Relief, a humanitarian non-governmental organisation, said it will deploy a preliminary disaster response team of two to Kathmandu, Nepal's capital. It will ascertain ground needs and procure an initial batch of relief supplies, said the organisation, adding that $60,000 had been dedicated as an "initial tranche" for relief efforts.
Both the Singapore Red Cross and Mercy Relief are appealing for donations. The Government has committed $100,000 to the Red Cross as a seed contribution in its donation drive, the Singapore Red Cross said.
To donate to the Red Cross' efforts, members of the public can go to the Red Cross House at 15, Penang Lane, Singapore 238486, from 9am to 6pm on weekdays.
They can also make cheques out to the Singapore Red Cross Society, indicating the Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund and their name, contact number and address on the back. These should be posted to the Red Cross House.
To donate to Mercy Relief's efforts, members of the public can make cheques out to Mercy Relief Limited, with "Nepal Earthquake Relief 2015" written on the reverse. They should be mailed to Block 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, Singapore 310160.
Cash donations will also be accepted at that location, while bank transfers can be made to Mercy Relief's DBS current account 054-900741-2.
The death toll in Nepal climbed as rescuers sifted through the rubble of levelled buildings at the weekend.
Strong aftershocks continue to be felt, said Singapore Red Cross secretary-general Benjamin William.
"Many are living in fear, unable to return to their homes. Damage to roads and the airport means that getting relief and aid to these communities is also going to pose a great logistical challenge," he added.
The Singapore Red Cross is working with the International Committee of the Red Cross to assist those trying to contact their family members in Nepal.
Those looking to contact relatives in affected areas can register at http://familylinks.icrc.org/nepal-earthquake or call the Singapore Red Cross hotline on 6664-0501.
It is official! Mercy Relief deploys to quake-hit Kathmandu to ascertain ground needs and procure initial batch of...
Posted by Mercy Relief on Sunday, April 26, 2015