Insight on Nepal avalanche-floods by Humanity Matters – Speech by Mr Goh Pei Ming Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development

Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, Chairman of Humanity Matters

Esteemed Faith Leaders,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. A very good morning to everyone, and thank you for joining us today.

2. Three weeks ago, a devastating flash flood struck Nepal, causing widespread destruction and claiming many lives. This morning, we have come together to hear from Humanity Matters, the team on the ground, who have been providing aid and support. And also be able to come together and express our solidarity with the people of Nepal and everyone who is affected by the tragedy.

3. Looking at the video, you can’t help but feel that the scale of the destruction is so immense that it's very difficult for us to do very much. But in moments like that, when we feel that there's very little hope, all the more is when every bit counts, every bit matters, and to the people on the ground who are stretched, who have seem to lost everything - homes, loved ones – I think that's when any bit of love, of outreach of anyone around near and far matters and counts. And that's where I think humanity matters.


The Situation in Nepal

4. Indeed the scale of the devastation is immense.

(a) More than 1,300 lives have been lost.

(b) Over 5,000 people remain missing, including nine Singaporeans.

(c) Homes, livelihoods, entire communities, essential infrastructure have all been destroyed.

(d) The road to recovery for the people of Nepal, will be long.

5. What happened in Nepal also points to a wider challenge that we all face. Climate change is accelerating, is contributing to more frequent, more severe climate disasters, all around the world. We are seeing more floods, storms, heatwaves around the globe.

6. And while climate change affects us all, it actually does not affect everyone evenly, equally. The responsibility thus lies with all of us to continue to strengthen our preparedness and our ability to respond. And more importantly, the collective spirit to come together in solidarity to help those in need when crises occur. And I think, as I mentioned earlier, it's important for us to do outreach and make sure that when all seems to be lost, we play our part to offer that little glimmer of hope.


Singapore’s Response

7. Singapore has leaned forward to provide support in the relief and recovery efforts in various ways.

(a) From the Government’s end, we have provided a humanitarian assistance package to Nepal, comprising specialised equipment, emergency response supplies, DNA test kits, and personal protective equipment.

(b) We have also contributed to the public fundraising efforts of the Singapore Red Cross.

(c) And at Nepal’s request, the Singapore Police Force, supported by the Home Team Science and Technology Agency and the Health Sciences Authority, have also deployed a team specialising in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and aerial surveillance to assist the Nepali authorities.


Whole-of-Society Effort

8. But the response does not sit and rest with the Government alone. Organisations, communities and individuals can all make a difference, and they all have. We all have. Through providing comfort, resources and expertise.

9. And Humanity Matters is an excellent example of this. The team on the ground has been working directly with the Nepali authorities to understand the needs of the affected communities and provide support where it is most appreciated.

(a) They have assisted to set up water treatment stations to give affected communities access to clean, potable water.

(b) They have provided protective suits and industrial-grade respirators to support the safety of the frontline search and recovery personnel.

(c) And the team is preparing to build shelters for children who have lost their parents and caregivers in the flood. And these are some of the most vulnerable survivors, and they need a safe and secure place as they recover and rebuild their lives.

10. And actually from my own personal background, I was in the armed forces for many years. And the challenge with a disaster of this scale, when all seems to be a mess, actually the challenge on the ground, besides doing all these operational parts, with good training, you'll be able to do it. But it’s the ability to go onto the ground, make sense of what exactly is happening, be able to identify the people that you are able to work with and coordinate, earn their trust to be able to bring about a change, a difference, and to be able to work together with other entities on the ground. I think that is also an equally, if not more, difficult part of the work, and to be able to do so requires a lot of training, a lot of thought process preparation before the actual deployment. So kudos to the team who did all the good work.

11. I am also very glad to learn that Humanity Matters will be organising activities over the next two weekends for 300 to 400 Singapore residents to volunteer in support of those affected by the floods in Nepal. And this further exemplifies the whole-of-society spirit that we stand for, bringing people together to support all in Nepal.

12. I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate and thank Humanity Matters, as well as our religious leaders, community organisations, volunteers and all members of the public who stepped forward to contribute in different ways.

Standing Together

13. The road to recovery in Nepal will take a long time. As the immediate crisis passes, the work ahead may receive much less media attention, but it is, to the families on the ground, to the victims on the ground, no less important. And they need every support they can get.

14. As we remember those whose lives were changed forever by this flash flood in Nepal, let us also salute the quiet determination of everyone who helped these communities recover and honour the impact that they have made.

15. Thank you and I look forward to the sharing later.