The number of Australians affected by the devastating floods in Nepal has risen to 43, according to Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs. The department has received more than 650 calls related to the disaster. Nepali and Chinese authorities have confirmed a death toll of at least 810, with more than 3,000 people believed missing. The floods were triggered by a massive glacier collapse in the Himalayas on Wednesday, which engulfed the Gyirong port on the Nepal-China border.
Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong, announced an additional $3 million in aid to Nepal, bringing the total package to $8 million. Of this, $2 million will be coordinated by the Australian Defence Force for hygiene kits, solar lighting, and other emergency supplies. The Royal Australian Air Force will transport the first supplies from Queensland in the coming days. Additionally, the government will donate $1 million to the Emergency Action Alliance appeal, which has already raised $1.4 million from public donations.
Australian personnel have yet to gain access to the flood zone, according to Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite. Roads remain cut off and most telecommunications infrastructure is down, with eight power stations affected. The Australian government has offered support to China, where six Australians are missing on the Chinese side of the border, but Chinese authorities have indicated they do not require assistance at this time.
Currently, 14 Australian personnel are on the ground in Kathmandu, including crisis response teams, consular officers, and Australian Federal Police. Two more will be deployed this week to assist local services in the humanitarian disaster.