MalayMail/Bernama-Oct 1
A total of 77 members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) will be deployed to the Philippines today for a humanitarian mission following the recent disaster in the country, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. Ahmad Zahid, who is also National Disaster Management Committee chairman, said the team is scheduled to depart for the disaster site at 9am today, fully equipped with Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) gear, communication systems, emergency medical facilities, K9 detection units and logistics vehicles. “As a neighboring ASEAN country, Malaysia has approved the mobilization of the SMART team in full configuration as part of our preparedness to extend humanitarian assistance to the Philippines. I believe this step demonstrates Malaysia’s commitment to Asean regional solidarity and ensures that humanitarian aid can be mobilized swiftly to save lives and help restore the livelihoods of disaster victims in the country,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday. At least 26 people were killed and 147 others injured after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the waters of Cebu province in the Philippines on Tuesday night, according to Xinhua news agency. The Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday that the death toll is expected to rise further. In March this year, Malaysia also deployed 50 SMART personnel and officers to Naypyidaw, Myanmar, for a humanitarian relief mission and to assist in search and rescue operations for earthquake victims there. Read more at: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/10/01/malaysia-sends-rescue-team-with-k9-units-to-philippines-after-deadly-quake/193061
