Australia has announced A$5 million, about US$3.6 million, in relief and humanitarian assistance for people affected by flooding in Nepal, AFP reported. The announcement comes as the country deals with the impact of severe flooding and efforts continue to locate Australians who remain unaccounted for.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said finding missing Australian nationals had become extremely difficult because of the scale and severity of the disaster. In an interview with Australia’s Today Show on Friday, she said the number of Australians who had lost contact with their families after the floods had risen to 39.

Wong said many people had been killed and many others remained missing in the disaster. She said about 20 officials from Australia’s foreign ministry were currently in Nepal. Australia plans to send further assistance and personnel to Nepal over the coming days.