Malaysian disaster team heads home as Nepal search operation continues

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — Malaysia's Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) has completed its deployment in Nepal and begun its journey home following the country's devastating earthquake. The team, which mobilised to assist with search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the natural disaster, has now handed over operations to local authorities and international partners continuing the recovery work.

The Smart team, composed of trained rescue personnel and specialists, worked in coordination with other international relief agencies to locate survivors and provide emergency assistance to affected communities. Their deployment represented Malaysia's commitment to regional disaster response and humanitarian aid, reflecting longstanding ties of cooperation within South and Southeast Asia.

While the Malaysian contingent concludes its mission, rescue and recovery operations in Nepal are expected to continue for some time as authorities work through affected areas. The transition of responsibilities underscores the shift from emergency response to longer-term recovery and reconstruction phases in the earthquake-stricken region.

The return of the Smart team marks the completion of Malaysia's primary deployment objective, though international assistance efforts in Nepal are anticipated to persist as the nation addresses the scale of destruction and displacement caused by the seismic event.