Foreign Minister Murray McCully
says that the New Zealand Government has approved the
deployment of an Urban Search and Rescue team (USAR) to
Nepal.
“Nepal has accepted our offer to send an USAR
team to Kathmandu, and a 37 strong contingent will depart
New Zealand this evening," Mr McCully says.
"The personnel
going to Nepal have specific expertise in rubble pile
rescue, and the technical rescue experts will be supported
by paramedics, a doctor, a structural engineer, logistics
personnel, a command and control element, and a Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade liaison officer.
"Our USAR team
will deploy for up to 14 days initially, and will be fully
self-sufficient while in Nepal.
"New Zealand is deeply
moved by the devastation and human suffering these quakes
have caused and our response reflects our close ties with
the people of Nepal.
"Yesterday we announced a $1million
contribution to the immediate relief effort and we will
continue to assess how we can further assist," Mr McCully
says.
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