KATHMANDU, March 5: The embassies of Nepal in Germany and Russia are making collective efforts with the help of Non-Resident Nepali Association and the Nepali community to rescue Nepali nationals displaced from the war-hit Ukraine.
Most Nepali nationals have already relocated themselves to neighboring countries of Ukraine for safety. As many as 511 Nepalis have entered the bordering countries of Ukraine following the escalation of conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Of them, 403 have reached Poland, 71 have reached Slovakia, 27 reached Romania, six in Hungary while four Nepali have entered Moldova, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: 302 Nepalis reach safe destinations
Nepali embassies in Berlin and Moscow have been mobilized for the rescue operation in Ukraine. The Nepali Embassy in Berlin is facilitating Nepalis entering Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania in coordination with the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and the Nepali community.
There are still a number of Nepalis who are making their way toward the west of Ukraine while many are still in the process of crossing the Ukraine border.
The Government of Nepal has requested the governments of Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland, which share a border with Ukraine, to assist in the safe entry of Nepali citizens fleeing from Ukraine, and has received appropriate assistance from them as well.
A working committee comprising the Vice President of the NRNA is working under the leadership of the Nepali embassy to coordinate rescue and relief works. With the help of the Nepali community, food, shelter and primary health checkup facilities have also been arranged in various places. Ambassador of Nepal to Berlin, Ram Kaji Khadka has reached Poland to assist the safe departure of Nepalis living on the Poland-Ukraine border.
The government of Nepal has also received a positive response from the government of India to repatriate Nepali nationals from Ukraine. The Nepalese Embassy in Berlin has coordinated with the Indian embassies in countries bordering Ukraine to utilize the assistance. The Romanian government has informed that necessary assistance will be provided to the Nepalis who have reached Romania for access to the plane bound for India. Likewise, attempts are also being made to enlist the help of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to help Nepalis living in Ukraine to return home safely.
Furthermore, the Nepali embassy in Berlin has also requested all Nepalis residing in Europe after fleeing from Ukraine to contact the embassy and provide their information to receive necessary assistance and facilitation from the Government of Nepal.