Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal expressed gratitude to the global community, including India, for their assistance following the devastating flash floods that have resulted in over 650 fatalities. During his initial press briefing at Singhdurbar since the disaster, Khanal addressed speculation circulating in the media about Nepal allegedly refusing international aid. He stated that ongoing relief operations would not only focus on immediate rescue efforts but also substantial rebuilding due to the extensive destruction.

Khanal pointed out, “We have seen some false reports circulating in national and foreign media that Nepal rejected international assistance and support.” He emphasised the necessity of continued support in both the rescue and reconstruction phases, highlighting the significant scale of the disaster. His statements reaffirmed the commitment of the government to evaluate the damage and seek additional assistance from neighbouring countries and international partners as necessary.

Details of Relief Efforts and Materials Received

In the press conference, Khanal disclosed that over 57 tonnes of relief supplies had been received from India, with other countries such as China, Japan, and Australia also contributing essential goods. The minister stated that while Nepal’s government is capable of conducting rescue operations, they are open to receiving specific, specialised assistance from friendly nations. “International assistance was not rejected; rather, our rescue strategy is tailored to our national capacity and geographical circumstances,” he remarked.

Highlighting the complexities involved in coordinating rescue efforts in unfamiliar terrain, Khanal explained that deploying foreign rescue teams could complicate logistics and pose unforeseen risks, necessitating the use of local resources for the operation. He reiterated that the government was grounded in its national capacity to guide these efforts efficiently.

Further supporting this notion, Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle expressed appreciation for India’s role during the crisis. In remarks to PTI Videos, Wagle described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “exceptionally generous,” noting New Delhi’s indication of generous assistance aimed at reconstruction. To date, India has supplied 57.6 tonnes of relief materials and has also dispatched an 11-member team of medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts to assist local authorities in Nepal.

Ongoing Challenges and the Scale of the Disaster

The natural calamity was ignited by an ice-rock avalanche after a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border on Wednesday, leading to torrents of water, mud, and debris that devastated towns and communities across central Nepal. The toll from the disaster has tragically surpassed 650, with over 2,400 individuals still reported missing as rescue teams persist in their efforts amidst continuing rainfall in the impacted regions.

As rescue and relief efforts progress, Nepal’s government has expressed its deep gratitude to partner countries for their immediate aid. Khanal emphasized the possibility of further assistance being required as the nation embarks on the road to reconstruction. The government remains hopeful that the solidarity shown by the international community will strengthen long-term recovery efforts in the aftermath of this tragic event.

Overall, Nepal has reaffirmed its commitment to assess ongoing needs, respond effectively to the disaster, and manage reconstruction efforts, with an acknowledgement of the support already provided by various nations.

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