Australia To Send Military Flights In Nepal To Help Rescue Operations

Australia has offered military support for Nepal as the Himalayan country is still counting corpses after the Saturday earthquake. According to reports, more than 1150 Australians have been found to be safe in Nepal.

Adelaide student Zachary Sheridan is also in Nepal. His family is confident of his safety even though has not made any contact with the family since the 7.9-magnitude earthquake devastated Nepal.

Zachary’s sister, Zoe, said that the family had received reassuring news from the place her brother had been staying. Actor Hugh Sheridan, Zachary’s brother, is on his way to Nepal with another sibling to find out the whereabouts about him.

Melbourne counsellor Renu Fotedar was killed after an earthquake on Sunday caused a massive avalanche. She was in a base camp at the Mount Everest. While her family in Kathmandu is getting consular assistance, Australia has decided to send military flights to take its citizens safely back home.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that the authorities would continue to search for any Australians who were unaccounted for. She said that the team was waiting for Nepal’s approval before it could move in. Bishop added that Australia was coordinating with Japan and the United States to get involved in rescue operations. "We, of course, stand ready to assist," she said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is going to release the details of the flights after arrangements at Kathmandu airport gets finalised. The Australian government is sending an additional $1 million with its immediate aid to Nepal. The total contribution by Australia is now $6 million. The additional $1 million will be used to assist the World Health Organisation.

According to CNN, doctors at one hospital in Kathmandu moved patients from the 120-year-old building to into another building. They have been operating patients in normal rooms which are not typically used as operation theatres.

Nepal hospitals are lacking supplies even though there have been a strong international response to help the country. At least 16 countries immediately sent workers and aid to Nepal. In addition, there are numerous aid groups who have been assisting the rescue process.

The lethal earthquake has killed at least 3,954 people in Nepal, India and China. According to Nepalese officials, more than 7,000 were injured.

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au