MFA Press Statement: Visit by Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman to Nepal, 2 to 5 May

SMS Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman is in Kathmandu, Nepal from 2 to 5 May 2017 to mark the completion of the Singapore Red Cross’ (SRC) humanitarian relief efforts in the wake of the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal. 

SMS Maliki officiated the commemorative ceremony “Partnerships for Humanity – Rebuilding in Nepal”.  The ceremony showcased the efforts of SRC and their local partners in the reconstruction work in Nepal following the earthquake.  SMS Maliki expressed deep appreciation to SRC and their local partners for their dedication and perseverance in this rebuilding journey.  The projects exhibited are a lasting mark of the friendship between the two countries. 

The full text of SMS Maliki’s remarks is at Annex A.

SMS Maliki also officiated the opening of Shree Kalika Basic School on 3 May 2017, which was reconstructed following the earthquake with the assistance of SRC.  At the opening, SMS Maliki separately presented the official plaques to the principals of Bhumeshori and Saraswoti Primary Schools which SRC had also helped to rebuild. 

Together with Minister for Health Gagan Kumar Thapa, SMS Maliki launched “Rebuilding Communities through Healthcare”, a programme jointly organised by Nepal Ministry of Health and Singapore Heath Services (SingHealth), with the support of Temasek Foundation International.  The programme, which aims to enhance the post-disaster capacity of Nepalese government hospitals, will train more than 560 healthcare professionals and will eventually multiply its reach through the training of master trainers.  SMS highlighted the need to focus on the long-term capacity of hospitals to cope with future disasters, ensuring that healthcare professionals are adequately trained and equipped in the event of future disaster or crisis.  The full text of SMS Maliki’s remarks is at Annex B. 

On 4 May 2017, SMS Maliki met Minister for Defence Bal Krishna Khand and both sides reaffirmed the friendly relations between Singapore and Nepal and discussed possible areas of cooperation.  During the meeting with Army Chief of Staff General Rajendra Chettri, both sides exchanged views on defence and security issues as well as military-to-military cooperation.

SMS Maliki also had dinner with the Singaporean community in Nepal and visited Jame Masjid, the largest mosque in Kathmandu.  He exchanged views with the Muslim leaders on the threat of religious extremism and terrorism.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

5 MAY 2017

Annex A

REMARKS BY

SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS DR MOHAMAD MALIKI OSMAN

AT “PARTNERSHIPS FOR HUMANITY – REBULDING IN NEPAL”

KATHMANDU, NEPAL

4 MAY 2017

Ladies and Gentlemen

1                                 I am privileged to be part of this meaningful event today, held to recognise the many unsung heroes of Nepal’s rebuilding journey after the April 2015 earthquake. The disaster was a terrible tragedy which brought great destruction and suffering.   Many lives were lost and buildings destroyed.  But the people of Nepal have overcome the adversity with great dignity and fortitude. It is also in times like these that the support of friends and partners is particularly crucial.

2                                 Singapore and Nepal share warm relations that date back to when we first established diplomatic relations in 1969.  When the earthquake struck, it was only natural that Singapore and Singaporeans responded.  The Singapore Government donated US$250,000 as fundraising seed money through the Singapore Red Cross, or SRC, and mobilised equipment and personnel to assist in a variety of operations – from search and rescue and disaster recovery operations, to the provision of field medical assistance and relief.  The Singapore Armed Forces deployed 38 personnel comprising a medical team as well as a team from the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre for two weeks.  They played a crucial role in providing assistance such as air support to help transport aid and rescue personnel in and out of Kathmandu. 

3                                 However, assistance did not come only from the Singapore government, but also through the outpouring of support from Singaporeans.  SRC played a pivotal role in fund raising, eventually collecting more than S$11 million from Singaporeans of all walks of life.  SRC, with its expertise and experience in relief and humanitarian assistance, carried out over 60 projects, which have since been completed, and many of these stories are reflected in this exhibition today.  It is our hope that through these projects, we are able in some small way to help the local communities in the recovery process.   

4                                 Speaking of individuals, we have had Singaporeans who took the initiative to contribute to the disaster relief efforts on their own.  One such individual is Nigel Kow who raised funds to purchase aid and equipment for the victims of the earthquake – his is a heart-warming story that I am sure some of you will have the chance to hear through the exhibition.  Nigel started the Manaslu Foundation, a non-profit organisation, on his own specially to support earthquake relief and regeneration efforts in Nepal’s Gorkha District. 

5                                 During this trip, I was also pleased to catch up with Singaporeans who live in Nepal and learn about their experiences.  It was heartwarming to hear how Singaporeans and Nepalese alike reached out and helped one another after the earthquake to cope with the difficulties.  In turn they have formed a deeper friendship with one another.

6                                 Just yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to visit Shree Kalika Basic School, one of the three schools in Kalika village which SRC and Living Hope had helped to rebuild.  The warm smiles of the children reminded me that the task at hand is not just to rebuild schools, clinics or roads.  More importantly, what we have embarked on, is a journey of rebuilding lives. 

7                                 I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the leadership and team from SRC and their local partners for their dedication and perseverance in this rebuilding journey.  SRC has truly played a pivotal role from conception to delivery, from galvanising support from Singaporeans and undertaking the projects.  It has been a long road, and your tireless and selfless effort has been an inspiration to all of us. I hope many more Singaporeans will come forward in future to contribute to such efforts.

8                                 I hope that the projects that we see today in the exhibition will become an enduring symbol of the friendship between our countries, one which we will continue to nurture in the years ahead.  As much as we our friends from Nepal have benefitted from our support and assistance, we too have benefitted from this experience – knowing more about ourselves and what it takes to overcome such unimaginable experiences. Finally we wish the people of Nepal well and look forward to further deepening our friendship.

9                                 Thank you.

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Annex B

REMARKS BY

SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR DEFENCE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS DR MOHAMAD MALIKI OSMAN

AT LAUNCH OF “REBUILDING COMMUNITIES THROUGH HEALTHCARE”

KATHMANDU, NEPAL

3 MAY 2017

His Excellency Gagan Kumar Thapa, Minister for Health

His Excellency Tara Man Gurung, State Minister for Health

Professor Tay Boon Keng, Emeritus Consultant, Singapore Health Services

Mr Stanely Lee, Director, Temasek Foundation International

Ladies and Gentlemen

1                                      I am pleased to join you today to launch the “Rebuilding Communities through Healthcare” Programme, jointly organised by the Nepal Ministry of Health and Singapore Heath Services.

2                                      Singapore and Nepal share friendly relations and we have had interactions between both countries at all levels, from visits by leaders to the many Singaporeans who seek out Nepal as a choice travel destination away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

3                                      In fact, many Singaporeans were in Nepal when the tragedy struck in April 2015.  We were deeply saddened to learn of the disaster, the lives that were lost, and the homes that were destroyed.  In spite of the difficult and painful situation, it was heartening to see so many friends from around the world coming to support Nepal in a time of need.

4                                       Since then, Nepal has been in the process of rebuilding itself.  Roads, buildings and other infrastructure that were damaged are being rebuilt.  Just this morning, I had the opportunity to visit a school that was reconstructed through the efforts of the Singapore Red Cross.  I was touched to see the indomitable spirit of the children and community in Kalika village.  It speaks truly of the resilience of the people of Nepal.

5                                      Over the years, Singapore has learnt through the experiences of others, and from our own successes and failures.  Arising from these experiences, we have sought to share what we have learnt with our friends – in this case, Nepal – and in this particular instance, in the area of healthcare. 

6                                      While Singapore and Nepal face different circumstances, neither of us are insusceptible to emergency crises.  In 2003, when the severe acute respiratory syndrome or SARS struck Singapore and the region, our doctors and healthcare professionals worked tirelessly and selflessly at the risk of their own personal safety. They battled to keep the spread of the disease under control.  Some even lost their lives during this pandemic.  While Nepal faced a different type of crisis in 2015, with a different set of problems in the aftermath of the earthquake, a common theme that surfaced was the resilience and dedication of our healthcare workers. 

7                                      Projects such as “Rebuilding Communities through Healthcare” are important, as they focus on the long-term capacity of hospitals to cope with future disasters.  We may be able to rebuild hospitals and clinics, but even more importantly, we have to ensure that the doctors, nurses and other health care professionals who work in these institutions are adequately trained and equipped to deal with the situation in the event of a disaster or crisis. 

8                                      “Rebuilding Communities through Healthcare” aims to train over 560 healthcare professionals from Nepal over the next three years to manage post-disaster emergencies, as well as develop disaster response systems and protocols.  I am told another 20 clinician specialists will be trained in Singapore as master trainers.  This creates a multiplier effect where each master trainer can then help to train others upon returning to Nepal, far extending the impact of this programme beyond its initial reach. 

9                                      The process of rebuilding is not yet complete, and Singapore is ready to partner Nepal to make further progress through programmes such as “Rebuilding Communities through Healthcare”.  We hope this will make a meaningful contribution to the healthcare field in Nepal.  I look forward to a successful programme and wish you all the best ahead.

10                                 Thank you.

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SMS Maliki officiating the opening of Shree Kalika Basic School. [Photo credit: MFA]

SMS Maliki with Minister for Defence Bal Krishna Khand at the Ministry of Defence, Singh Durbar Government Complex. [Photo credit: MFA]

SMS Maliki and Minister for Health Gagan Kumar Thapa officially launch “Rebuilding Communities through Healthcare”, a programme jointly organised by Nepal Ministry of Health and Singapore Heath Services (SingHealth), with the support of Temasek Foundation International. [Photo credit: MFA]