We Will Accept Required Aid, There Will Be No Lacking in Rescue: Foreign Minister

The government has shared its stance on the questions and comments that have arisen about why an international team was not called in the search and rescue operations after the massive flood hit the Bhotekoshi river in Rasuwa on the morning of September 26. 

Talking to RSS, Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal said that international help was not rejected, but that the rescue strategy was decided based on national capacity, immediate necessity, and Nepal’s unique geographical situation.

He stated that given Nepal’s geographical features, rugged terrain, and local environmental conditions, the rescue teams of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force have long been accustomed to this, and that the government prioritized maximum deployment of its own security forces in the initial phase.

According to Minister Khanal, since deploying an external rescue team in unfamiliar terrain can add complexity to coordination and technical management and may also create unforeseen risks, the rescue operations were carried out using the available national capacity.

“Our team is capable, we are familiar with our geography. Our security forces—the army, police, and armed police—are all involved in this,” he added.

Minister Khanal said that it is natural for every country to work through its own mechanisms until they are able to handle disasters on their own, without relying on foreign aid. 

He mentioned that the government’s policy is to move forward confidently with the work that Nepal’s national mechanisms, structures, and institutions can handle by themselves.

However, he clarified that the government has not refused assistance from friendly nations and the international community, stating that the government is ready to take international assistance as necessary in case there is a situation where rescue is needed inside a tunnel or where special technical skills are required for extremely complex physical structures.

“Wherever we need additional technical capacity, we collaborate as required,” the foreign Minister said. 

He mentioned that the government is in continuous dialogue and coordination with friendly nations regarding this matter and clarified that there is a clear policy to receive technical assistance as needed. (RSS)