Canada sending DART to Nepal

OTTAWA (NEWS1130) – The federal government says Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team will be deployed immediately to earthquake-stricken Nepal.

Officials say DART members from Canadian Forces Base Trenton will be heading to Nepal, along with civilian political and humanitarian personnel from Foreign Affairs.

The day after last week’s earthquake, Canada deployed the Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team, followed by DART members to assess the situation in Nepal.

The assessment team delivered its recommendations on Friday, including that additional elements of DART should support the relief efforts.

DART is an element of Canada’s response to natural disasters abroad that provides water purification, primary medical care, and engineering help.

Joe Foster with Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Emergency Management says they’re still waiting to hear if the city’s offer of sending crews will be accepted.

“Unfortunately in all of these, I’d love to try to get people to pull the trigger early in the incident. We’ve missed out on so many opportunities. Sadly it’s someone else’s misfortune, whether it’s Haiti, Japan, or it’s Nepal.”

Mayor Gregor Robertson offered to send search and rescue crews to Nepal the day after the quake.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today