By Modnath Dhakal

Kathmandu, Aug 18 : One hundred and eighteen Nepali nationals arrived Kathmandu on Tuesday while 256 individuals have registered their details in the web portal of the Department of Consular Services (DoCS.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has informed that the Nepali migrant workers were brought to Nepal in coordination with the friendly nations.

All of them are being managed at the Holding Centre managed by the COVID-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) in Samakhushi of Kathmandu Metropolis following their testing of COVID-19.

Likewise, nine Indians who were on the same flight were tested for COVID-19 and later on handed over to the officials of the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
The MoFA said that Nepalis who were rescued from Afghanistan and reached Kuwait will arrive here on Tuesday night.

The Ministry has urged the Nepalis in Afghanistan to remain at the same locations until they were rescued and remain in continuous touch with the MoFA, DoCS and Embassy of Nepal in India. The government has also requested the manpower agencies which were involved in sending Nepali workers through the legal channel to support in the rescue process.

Earlier, on Sunday, the government had created an online registration portal at https://nepalconsular.gov.np/ and requested concerned individuals or their families to update information in the portal.

People can contact Department of Consular Services (DCS) at +977-9749326458, MoFA at +9779749326459 and Embassy of Nepal in India at +918929601925 on cell phone Viber and WhatsApp.

A task force formed to facilitate in the rescue operations is coordinating with the concerned agencies to manage COVID-19 test and quarantine facilities for the returnee migrants.

Likewise, earlier on Monday, Minister for Home Affairs Bal Krishna Khand had directed the concerned agencies to facilitate the rescue of Nepali nationals stranded in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, a Situation Room is created at the MoFA which is led by Deputy Chief of Protocol.

Concerned people can contact Deputy Chief of Protocol at +9779860436481, Protocol Officer
at +9779841792774, and non-gazetted first class officer at +9779849811100.

They can also be reached via emails rewati.paudel@mofa.gov.np, anil.lamsal@mofa.gov.np, and
Nepal has called for the respect and facilitation for safe and orderly departure of all those stranded in Afghanistan through every channel of movement, including roads, airports or border points.

“Nepal broadly supports the call from the international community to respect and facilitate the safe and orderly departure of all those who wish to leave the country through roads, airports or border crossings,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

It has also called upon those in a position to do so for the protection of human life and property and the maintenance of peace, order and stability.

Stating that Nepal has been closely following the recent developments in Afghanistan, the government has urged all parties concerned to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of the people.

“Nepal wishes to see lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, a fellow member of SAARC, and the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Afghanistan,” read the statement.

Meanwhile, the United States of America rescued Gurkha soldiers who were working at the US Embassy in Kabul.

“The US Government has facilitated the departure of all Nepali Gurkhas who worked at the US Embassy in Afghanistan.

It was an honour to welcome the first flight back to Nepal this morning after a stop in the Middle East,” tweeted the US Embassy in Kathmandu.

The mission also expressed gratitude for the bravery and service of the Gurkhas.