Foreign Ministry to form emergency rescue team

Kathmandu, Mar. 2: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has initiated a process to form a multi-stakeholder emergency rescue team which will be coordinated by the foreign secretary, and will include representatives from concerned ministries, security agencies and other related bodies. 

Speaking with the journalists on Sunday, Ram Kaji Khadka, Joint Secretary at the Middle East, West Asia and Africa Division of the MoFA, said that a WhatsApp group has been created to facilitate the immediate exchange of updated information regarding the security situation in each country and problems faced by Nepali citizens. 

The Foreign Ministry is continuously monitoring official statements issued by various countries and the overall security situation. The Cabinet Meeting on Sunday also directed the Nepali missions in the Middle Eastern countries to remain highly alert and continuously monitor the situation. 

Stating that no Nepalis have been affected by the crisis, Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma informed that the missions have made arrangements to support the Nepalis in transit in case they face any health or transportation issues. 

Likewise, the MoFA has instructed the Department of Consular Services to develop an online registration platform and a mobile application for potential rescue operations. 

Nepali citizens in the Middle East are asked to register their details on the platform, making it easier to trace and assist them during emergencies.

Earlier on Saturday, the MoFA had issued an advisory for Nepalis in Iran, Israel and other countries in the region. It has also released the contact number and email addresses of the Ministry and embassies in Doha and Tel Aviv. 

Meanwhile, the government of Nepal said on Sunday that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States should be respected in line with the United Nations Charter and international law. 

"Nepal views that the rules-based international order and the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security should be upheld," the MoFA said in a statement issued following the Israel-USA attack on Iran. 

It expressed its deep concern over the evolving situation in the Middle East, and urged all parties concerned to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from further escalating tensions, and ensure the protection of civilians. 

"Nepal calls for resolving the differences through diplomacy and dialogue," read the statement. The recent crisis in the Middle East heightened concerns regarding the safety of Nepalis in Israel, Iran, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and other countries in the gulf region. 

Meanwhile, the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has said that amid the difficult circumstances emerging across the Middle East, it is imperative to prioritise the safety of more than 1.7 million Nepalis and to take necessary measures accordingly.

According to the MoFA, more than 1.72 million Nepalis are currently working in the middle east. There are currently six Nepali nationals in Iran.

The NRNA has urged Nepalis in the Middle East to strictly comply with security advisories issued by the respective governments and the Nepali embassies, refrain from going outdoors and remining safe locations, and avoid unnecessary travel. 

It also requested them to maintain regular contact with the National Coordination Councils (NCCs), the Secretariat of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA), and local Nepali communities as well. The NRNA also expressed it readiness to cooperate with the government stating that the security of Nepali community is its commitment. 

Meanwhile, the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) informed that Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Bahrain have closed their airspace and no flight operations could happen there on Sunday. Airlines companies including Jazeera, Kuwait, Air Arabia, Fly Dubai, Nepal Airlines, Qatar and Himalaya have cancelled their flights to and from Kathmandu.