The number of those known to have been killed in the earthquake in Nepal has risen to 1,910, the Nepalese Ministry of the Interior reported this morning. Thousands more have been injured in the worst earthquake to have hit the country in 81 years. The local administration called on the international community to send aid to assist it in coping with the dimensions of the disaster. The epicenter of the earthquake, which registered 7.8 on the Richter scale, was north-west of the capital Katmandu.
A first IDF rescue team took off from Israel for the disaster area last night, Walla! News reports. The team comprises six rescue and medical experts, among them senior Home Front Command and Medical Corps officers, and a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The team will assess the amount of aid required and will put together a picture of the situation. The IDF is readying to send a further group of 250 soldiers and officers, among them a search and rescue team, a security detachment, and a medical team capable of carrying out field surgery.
The IDF spokesperson said that a decision would be made about the structure and main functions of the special task force according to the impressions formed by the advance team, and after aid requests had been assessed and professional recommendations received. "In accordance with that and the instructions received from the diplomatic side, the advance team will prepare for the arrival and deployment of an Israeli group. In the name of the State of Israel, the IDF will provide assistance in any disaster anywhere in the world where this is required," the spokesperson said. The IDF attaché in New Delhi has also made his way to the disaster area to assist in finding a location for setting up a field hospital for the injured.
An aid delegation of Magen David Adom is due to take off from Tel Aviv for Katmadu this morning on a special Magen David Adom plane. The delegation consists of doctors and paramedics, carrying medical equipment, drugs, blankets, sleeping bags, and infant food.
This afternoon, a joint team from the ZAKA, Ihud Hatzala and F.I.R.S.T life-saving and rescue organizations is due to leave for Nepal this afternoon. The team will set up community clinics in the field, and deal with dead bodies and with rescuing people who are trapped.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of Israelis in the Katmandu area who have not yet been contacted is about 250. Last night, the ministry said it was not aware of Israeli casualties in the earthquake. This morning, there are about 150 Israelis sheltering in the Israeli embassy in Katmandu and about a hundred at the Habad House.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 26, 2015
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