Nepal Declines Foreign Rescue Teams Amid Devastating Floods

Nepal has been hit by devastating floods, with several areas near the Chinese border suffering extensive damage and a large number of people reported missing. As rescue and relief operations become increasingly urgent, several countries, including India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have offered assistance. However, Nepal has so far declined foreign rescue teams, stating that its security forces have the capability to conduct search and relief operations on their own.

Nepal’s decision is reportedly linked to its experience during the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, when the arrival of a large number of foreign rescue teams created coordination difficulties and complicated relief efforts. While declining foreign rescue teams, Nepal has sought financial assistance from international organisations and other entities. The US, UK, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Apple have announced financial support. The Nepalese government has directed diplomatic missions to ensure that such funds are channelled exclusively to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. According to the figures provided in the report, the disaster has so far claimed 469 lives, while around 1,500 people remain missing, including 290 Indian nationals whose whereabouts are yet to be ascertained.