Members of the Korea Disaster Relief Team on Sept. 2 board the Republic of Korea Air Force's multipurpose aerial tanker Cygnus (KC-330) at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do Province, to perform search and rescue operations in flood-ravaged Nepal. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Margareth Theresia

The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) on Sept. 2 departed for Nepal to help search and rescue operations for those going missing amid the severe flooding there, including Korean nationals.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Republic of Korea Air Force's multipurpose aerial tanker Cygnus (KC-330) carrying the team took off from Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do Province. Seoul decided on the dispatch following a Sept. 1 resolution by the Public-Private Joint Council for Overseas Emergency Relief.

The KDRT comprises personnel from ministries and related agencies who provide disaster relief and aid in search and rescue and medical service at overseas sites of major disasters. The deployment comes after the Nepalese government requested such support as flooding in the South Asian country's Rasuwa region since Aug. 26 has caused widespread damage.

Before the flight, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina encouraged the team at the base. She expressed hope that members' efforts will not only help protect the lives and safety of Korean nationals, but also send a message of solidarity and hope to the disaster-weary Nepalese people.

Led by Lee Kyoo-ho, director-general of the ministry's Development Cooperation Bureau, the 44-member KDRT consists of three ministry officials, four from the Korea International Cooperation Agency and 37 firefighters from the National Fire Agency.

For approximately 10 days, the team will work with Kathmandu and Seoul's joint rapid response team to search for and rescue victims, including nine Korean nationals who remain unaccounted for.

margareth@korea.kr