Nepal declines foreign rescue teams, says its own security agencies can handle operation
Summary
Nepal has declined offers from several countries to send search and rescue teams for the Bhotekoshi floods, saying its own security agencies can handle the operation. The government is instead seeking cash contributions through a one-door mechanism as hundreds of foreign nationals remain missing or out of contact.
Key Points
- The government rejected foreign search and rescue teams from countries including India, China, the US, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, citing Nepal’s own capacity and coordination concerns from the 2015 earthquake experience.
- A total of 517 foreign nationals are missing or out of contact after the Bhotekoshi floods, including large numbers of Indians, Americans, Malaysians, Ukrainians, British, Australians and Canadians.
- The Foreign Ministry has set up an Emergency Response Team and a dedicated hotline to coordinate information, consular assistance and communication with families of missing foreigners.
- Nepal has asked foreign missions to channel financial support through the Prime Minister Relief Fund, while India, the US, the UK, the World Bank and the ADB have announced or offered assistance.
