Nepal Floods: Government Rejects Foreign Rescue Teams Despite Death Toll Crossing 500
Nepal has rejected offers of foreign search-and-rescue teams from India, the US, China and South Korea, saying its own forces have sufficient rescue capabilities.
Dharshini
Nepal Floods: Government Rejects Foreign Rescue Teams Despite Death Toll Crossing 500
The death toll from the devastating floods in Nepal has crossed 500, while search operations continue for hundreds of people still missing. Several countries, including India, have offered relief materials and financial assistance to support Nepal following the disaster.
However, Nepal has reportedly rejected offers from India, the United States, China and South Korea to send specialised search and rescue teams to assist with rescue operations.
The Nepalese government has stated that its army, police and other security agencies have sufficient capacity to carry out the ongoing search-and-rescue operations. Based on this assessment, the government has decided that foreign rescue teams are not currently required.
Officials have also pointed to the experience of the 2015 earthquake, when the arrival of numerous international rescue teams reportedly created coordination and administrative challenges. This experience is understood to have influenced Nepal's decision to manage the current rescue operations primarily through its own agencies.
Despite declining foreign rescue teams, Nepal continues to seek international support for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. International financial assistance and humanitarian support are expected to play an important role in helping the country recover from the extensive damage caused by the floods.
Search and rescue operations remain underway across the worst-affected areas, with authorities continuing efforts to locate missing people and provide assistance to affected communities.
