Australia sends experts to Kathmandu, urges citizens to leave

Australia said on Tuesday it will send additional humanitarian experts to Kathmandu, Nepal, including a medical staff to aid the earthquake-struck country. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) disaster expert will also join the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team, a press release by Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop said on Tuesday.

"Further humanitarian relief supplies will be delivered by the ADF aircraft on its arrival in Nepal, including much-needed water purification and hygiene kits, shelter and blankets", Bishop said. "This in addition to the 5 million in life-saving humanitarian assistance Australia is already providing, 2.5 million will be allocated to assist Australian non-government organizations", she noted.

"Due to the difficult circumstances on the ground in Nepal, today I announce the GovernmentØ¢’s plans to assist Australians to depart Nepal by Australian Defence Force aircraft to Bangkok", the statement said. Bishop encouraged Australians in Nepal to continue to immediately depart through available commercial flight, despite the delays in Kathmandu international airport.

An 7.8 magnitude quake shook Nepal on Saturday afternoon killing more than 3,500 people and injuring thousands, while causing large scale material damage in its infrastructure, and massive destruction to world heritage monuments

Source: KUNA