SINGAPORE, May 12 — The Republic stands ready to chip in with rebuilding efforts in Nepal but such operations have not started yet as the country is still seeking disaster relief and humanitarian aid, said Second Foreign Affairs Minister Masagos Zulkifli.

He was responding to questions from Members of Parliament Irene Ng (Tampinese GRC) and Ang Wei Neng (Jurong GRC) on how Singapore will continue to assist the quake-hit country, especially in terms of long-term aid in reconstructing.

Masagos, who is also Second Home Affairs Minister, said: “At this point in time ... the assessment has not been made. The Nepalese are still asking for help in humanitarian aid ... Until such time, we don’t want to pre-empt the kind of aid that is needed.”

Masagos noted that Singapore will continue to provide assistance and offer relevant expertise when the time is ripe. The Singapore contingent started returning in the past few days after Nepal said it would be end search-and-rescue operations.

“When the international community comes together to help them with reconstruction, Singapore will do our part to contribute expertise in a way we can,” said Masagos. — TODAY