The government of Nepal is about to commence their operation to rescue Nepalis trapped in Iraq in the wake of worsening security situation. Reports say the decision to send a high-level government team led by a Joint-Secretary was made by Minister for Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey.
The rescue efforts of fellow citizens in Iraq are being facilitated to ensure safety of Nepali migrant workers there. Speaking to national daily Republica, Minister Pandey said,”Keeping in view of the fact that the conflict is likely to prolong further with serious consequences, we have now decided to either relocate Nepali migrant workers to safer places or bring them back home.”
Minister Pandey said the team will be sent once necessary coordination with countries adjoining Iraq is ensured. “Additional manpower in the team could be reinforced from Nepali embassies nearby,” he further said.
According to a press statement issued by the MoFA, it has decided to step up rescue efforts to bring trapped Nepalis in Iraq back home in view of the precarious situation there. The meeting has also asked the Nepalis living there to exercise additional precaution and to return home at the earliest through safer ways in view of the Islamic militants increasing their attacks across Iraq.
As the government struggles to determine the number of Nepali working in Iraq, the MoFA has also asked kin of those living in Iraq to provide details to MoFA through [email protected] and toll free number –1660-01-00186 — to facilitate rescue efforts.
As informed by Nepal´s embassy in Pakistan, which is concurrently accredited to Iraq, paper works of the four Nepalis, who were released by the Islamic militants after four days of captivity, is underway in Iraq to bring them back home. Ambassador Bharat Raj Paudyal said it may take additional one or two days.
Likewise, efforts are underway to repatriate three other Nepalis, who are currently living at the residence of their Iraqi colleague in Tikrit with the help of ICRC and IOM. “We are also establishing contacts with the concerned companies to facilitate those Nepalis who wish to go back home,” ambassador Paudyal further said.
