Australia Responds to Nepal Floods Amid Rising Casualties and Missing Nationals > 호주뉴스

The Australian Greens have expressed strong criticism of the government’s commitment of $5 million in aid for communities affected by the recent floods in Nepal. David Shoebridge, the Greens’ spokesperson on foreign affairs, stated during an interview that this amount is insufficient to address the scale of the disaster. He emphasized that Australia needs to enhance its support for rebuilding efforts in Nepal, a country already struggling with limited resources. Shoebridge also linked the need for increased aid to Australia’s obligations regarding carbon emissions, suggesting that failure to address climate change will lead to more frequent disasters.

The Australian government is actively seeking information regarding 39 Australians reported missing in Nepal following catastrophic flash floods that have resulted in nearly 400 deaths. Approximately 1,300 individuals remain unaccounted for, including children as young as 11. A New South Wales couple on a spiritual pilgrimage is among those missing. The government is coordinating with international efforts to deliver aid to the disaster-stricken areas, while concerns grow over a potential new flood threat due to rising water levels in a lake formed by the recent deluge. Local experts have raised alarms about the impact of climate change on glacier stability in the region.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured that Australia’s annual refugee intake will not be reduced in the upcoming financial year. This decision comes in response to plans by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to decrease the intake from 20,000 arrivals to 13,750 by 2027-28, which sparked backlash from Labor MPs and refugee advocates. Albanese’s commitment aims to maintain the current quota and address concerns regarding the treatment of refugees in Australia.

Penny Wong, the Foreign Affairs Minister, has confirmed that at least 34 Australians are among those missing following the devastating flash floods in the Nepal-Tibet border region. In response to the crisis, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has deployed additional personnel to assist. Wong noted that many of the missing individuals were tourists drawn to the area for trekking and spiritual experiences. She refrained from releasing specific details about the missing Australians until their next of kin have been properly informed.