Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Rob Nicholson has said that officials from his nation have been working tirelessly to help in the evacuation process of their citizens from Nepal following the devastating earthquake.
“Canadian officials have been working tirelessly to assist Canadians in Nepal following Saturday’s earthquake. The Government of Canada took action immediately following Saturday’s earthquake and resources continue to arrive in Nepal to assist in responding to this crisis,” Nicholson said.
“A Canadian Armed Forces C-17 Globemaster left Kathmandu at 12:45 p.m. ET and has since landed in New Delhi, India, carrying approximately 100 people, including Canadians and some foreign nationals. More than 70 other Canadians have already been able to depart from Nepal on commercial flights,” he added.
Nicholson also said that India would extend its help to Canadians with consular assistance, including help with travel documents, transportation and lodging on the ground and medical assistance.
“A second C-17 Globemaster is currently enroute Kathmandu and is transporting an additional 51 Canadian Armed Forces personnel, including medical staff, civil-military cooperation personnel, aero movement specialists, signalers and support personnel. Equipment onboard includes a cargo vehicle, military ambulance and a forklift to ensure that the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is not taxing local resources. This second C-17 will also be used to airlift more Canadians and others requiring assistance to depart,” Nicholson said.
“Earlier today, members of the DART landed in Kathmandu and joined Canada’s assessment team and other DART members who were already in Nepal. Together, they are assessing how Canada can best contribute to relief and recovery operations on the ground,” he added in a statement issued yesterday.
Nicholson further said, “Canadians able to reach Kathmandu and in need of assistance to depart should make their way to the Phora Durbar American Club, located in central Kathmandu near the Thamel neighbourhood, where a Canadian consular service point has been established. Those not able to reach Kathmandu should contact the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi, India, or the Emergency Watch and Response Centre (EWRC).”
Around 6,100 deaths have been reported so far following the devastating earthquake in Nepal. Over 11,000 people ha