- Canada deployed two RCMP forensic specialists to Kathmandu to assist in identifying victims of the recent Nepal-China border floods.
- Specialists will use DNA samples from Canadian relatives to identify missing persons and reconcile unidentified remains discovered in remote areas.
- Global Affairs Canada is coordinating with international partners to provide consular support and humanitarian aid to affected regions.
- Search operations remain difficult due to infrastructure damage, with several countries providing additional disaster-response personnel and resources.
Ottawa, Canada: Canada has sent two Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) specialists to Kathmandu to help identify people who died in the floods along the Nepal-China border, the Canadian government said.
The specialists will work with Nepalese authorities and other international teams involved in identifying victims. Their deployment comes as search and recovery efforts continue following the Aug. 26 disaster.
Canadian officials are also trying to establish the whereabouts of Canadians and permanent residents who may have been affected. Global Affairs Canada has been in contact with families in Canada and is coordinating with authorities in Nepal, China and other countries involved in the response.
The RCMP specialists will help collect and compare forensic information that can be used to identify people who are still missing. The RCMP's National DNA Data Bank has separate indices for missing people, their relatives and unidentified human remains.
The Canadian government said DNA samples from relatives of missing Canadians are being collected in Canada and processed for possible matches. Comparing those samples with DNA from unidentified remains can help authorities determine the identity of victims.
The Canadian deployment is part of a wider international response. Search, recovery and humanitarian teams from several countries have been working with local authorities. Australia has also sent disaster-response personnel and announced the deployment of federal police DVI specialists to support victim identification.
Search operations have been complicated by damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure. Some of the affected areas are remote and close to the Nepal-China border, making access difficult. A large number of people are still reported missing, including foreign nationals.
Canada has also announced humanitarian assistance for Nepal. Details about specific relief supplies and the number of emergency items being provided are based on information from the Canadian government unless independently confirmed.
Global Affairs Canada continues to provide consular assistance to Canadian families affected by the disaster and is providing updates as more information becomes available.
The RCMP and Global Affairs Canada will continue working with Nepalese authorities and international partners as efforts to identify missing people and recover victims continue.
