The Thai government yesterday earmarked Bt100 million for agencies to use for relief efforts in Nepal, while Bt56 million was collected in donations from the public as of yesterday via different fundraising campaigns.

A team of medical staff with expertise in disaster relief will fly to Nepal today, Dr Surachet Sathitniramai, deputy permanent secretary for the Public Health Ministry, said. The 19-member Medical Emergency Response Team is comprised of four doctors specialising in emergencies, a surgeon, a psychiatrist, four nurses, six medical relief staff members, two communications experts and a medical specialist as team leader. The team will be setting up workstations at four locations, including the Thai embassy, a Thai Buddhist temple, and the Nepalese public health ministry. Three senior ministry officials arrived in Nepal yesterday to make preparations for the medical response team. Three similar teams will be prepared to take turns in operations in Nepal, Dr Wachira Pengjuntr, a deputy permanent secretary in charge of the ministry's medical operation centre, said.

Over the next two months, up to 10 tonnes of medical supplies will be delivered, he said, adding that the ministry has asked for Bt20 million to fund this operation. The medical supplies alone will cost around Bt8.3 million and will be provided by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation.