Kathmandu, March 1 Nepal formed an emergency team on Sunday and announced that a relief strategy would be formulated based on the war situation in West Asia, even as it asserted that all its nationals in different Gulf countries are safe.
On Saturday, Nepal urged its citizens in West Asian countries to "stay vigilant, exercise caution, and maintain regular contact with the community" as tensions escalated following joint US-Israel strikes against Iran, spreading to other countries in the region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that over 1.7 million Nepalese nationals currently residing in different countries in West Asia are safe.
On Sunday, Ram Kaji Khadka, joint secretary and head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Central Asia, West Asia and Africa Division, told media persons that the government prioritizes the safety of its citizens in the Gulf countries.
An update on Nepalese nationals in the region was presented during the press briefing, outlining their demographic profile, current conditions, and ongoing efforts.
"A WhatsApp group has been formed to keep in touch with the heads of Nepalese missions stationed in the concerned countries. The ministry has also initiated the development of an online registration platform in coordination with the consular department," Khadka said.
The ministry also formed an emergency relief team headed by foreign secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai.
A relief strategy will be formulated based on the possible war environment, the conflict period, steps to be taken by neighboring countries, and initiatives taken by the concerned countries, the ministry said.
The largest number of Nepalese nationals – around 700,000 – are currently residing in the United Arab Emirates.
The remaining one million Nepalese are residing in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt, and Lebanon, according to the Foreign Ministry.
On the occasion, joint secretary Krishna Prasad Dhakal said that all Nepalese residing in the Gulf region are safe so far.
Spokesperson at the ministry, Lok Bahadur Paudel, said that the ministry is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf countries and asked all concerned to remain patient.
Meanwhile, the government said it has, for the time being, suspended issuing labor permits for Nepali workers travelling to Gulf countries amidst growing tensions in West Asia.
Chandra Bahadur Siwakoti, spokesperson at the Department of Foreign Employment, said that the decision will remain in effect until further notice.
