Australian Government Increases Aid and Sends Crisis Officials to Nepal Flood Rescue Efforts

In short:

Rescue operations continue in Nepal, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade committing a further 12 crisis officials to assist in recovery efforts.

Hundreds of people have gathered across the country to mourn the lives lost and share a message of hope to those still reported missing.

The Australian government has pledged a further $3 million in aid.

As search efforts enter the fifth day in Nepal and rescue teams continue to comb through mud and debris for signs of life, hundreds gather across Australia for vigils honouring the flood-stricken region and the 42 Australians still unaccounted for.

Almost 9,500 kilometres away from the ongoing rescue operations in Nepal, crowds gathered at King George Square in Brisbane for a candlelight vigil organised by city's Nepali community.

TreasurerJim Chalmers addressed the hundreds gathered to share a message of support for the Nepali community.

"We appreciate the Nepalese community every day, but on days like today we are there for you,"

he said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) committed a further 12 response personnel after eight arrived in Kathmandu this morning.

The Australian government has also pledged a further $3 million to the recovery efforts.

Mr Chalmers said some of the country's "finest" had gone to the "majestic" Himalayan site to provide assistance.

"Australia sends some of its finest people, we send millions of dollars in aid, but most of all I know that every single Australian at this very difficult time sends our love,"

he said.

The Nepalese Association of Queensland (NAQ) says it has been a difficult time, with many hundreds dead and thousands missing.

It has thanked the wider community for their prayers and support as they wait for news of their loved ones.

NAQ president Tikaram Sarma found out today one his cousins was among the missing.

"We still have hope. We can find many people,"

he said.

"[But] it's a difficult rescue mission."

He urged anyone who could to donate to fundraising efforts.

In Darwin, about 100 people gathered on the steps of the Northern Territory parliament on Sunday evening, to light candles in memory of those killed or missing in the flooding disaster in Nepal and Tibet.

Trilochan Sapkota from the Northern Territory's Non-Resident Nepali Association said in a speech that the tragedy in Nepal had reached far beyond its borders, and that each candle represented a life lost, and the hope that those still missing would be found.

Student Simran Kandel said many local events and festivals had been cancelled in the wake of the disaster, and encouraged donations to the Nepali Prime Minister's disaster relief fund.

"Even though there are thousands of people missing, we're hoping that they arrive safely back home, and that's why we collect here today to send our blessings to those people,"

she said.