Govt aware of Nepalis stranded abroad: Foreign Affairs Minister

KATHMANDU, April 21: The government is fully informed and aware of the Nepalis stranded abroad and will start the process of bringing them back home once the pandemic situation turns favorable, said Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali.

In a video conference with the Non-Resident Nepalis Association (NRNA) presidents of 11 countries that are worst hit by COVID-19 pandemic, he informed the Nepali community abroad, through the NRNA presidents, that it was not immediately possible to rescue and bring home the Nepalis stranded abroad as the lockdown period has been extending in Nepal.

“The government is fully aware and informed of the Nepalis stranded abroad. we will start the process of returning them to Nepal once the situation becomes favorable,” Foreign Affairs Minister Gyawali said, adding, “the government is positive regarding promptly addressing the problems of the Nepali migrant workers, mainly in the Gulf region.”

He asserted that the government will seek a solution to the issue through consultations with the diplomatic missions and NRNA, urging the non-resident Nepalis in those countries to have patience.

The Minister lauded the role played by the Nepalis in difficult circumstances and thanked the NRNA for its active role in activities like spreading public awareness against COVID-19 and distributing relief to the needy Nepalis abroad in the present adverse situation. He also informed that the government has been holding discussions with countries affected by coronavirus and that the Nepali embassies have been activated to work together with NRNA in countries where Nepal does not have its diplomatic missions.

In the meeting, NRNA International Committee President, Kumar Panta, said the government has adopted effective steps towards prevention of coronavirus pandemic. He also lauded the decision of the government to enforce a lockdown across the country.

“NRNA is ready to work together with the government in terms of the relief programs directed at the Nepalis on foreign employment who have been affected by COVID-19,” he added.

The NRNA presidents voiced the problems faced by students, ex-British Gurkhas soldiers and the Nepali migrant workers abroad. They also talked about distribution of relief and health safety equipment to them as well as the management of those Nepalis who want to return home immediately. They also suggested the government to formulate short-term and long-term economic policy as the country could reel under economic recession due to the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

The NRNA presidents from the United Kingdom, Germany, America, Italy, Spain, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, France, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, among other countries, participated in the video conference. High officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present on the occasion. RSS