4 days ago
Nepal Prioritizes Own Forces While Seeking Foreign Aid After Floods
A huge flash flood hit parts of central Nepal on Wednesday.
It destroyed homes, roads, bridges and hydropower facilities.
Nepal Police says at least 579 people have died and nearly 1,000 are missing.
Nepal is using its own army and police teams first to rescue people.
Officials say these teams know the country’s steep and difficult land best.
Nepal says it has not refused help from other countries.
It may accept foreign teams when special technical skills are needed.
Nepal has asked India and China to help rebuild 42 temporary bridges.
A flash flood struck Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal on Wednesday.
Nepal Police reported at least 579 deaths and nearly 1,000 people missing.
Nepal said its own security forces would lead initial rescue operations.
Foreign assistance was not rejected, but Nepal cited national capacity and terrain.
Nepal requested India and China help build 42 Bailey bridges.
- Who
- Nepal’s government, Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police are conducting rescue operations; India and China have been asked to assist.
- What
- A major flash flood caused widespread deaths and damage, prompting rescue, relief and bridge-rebuilding efforts.
- Where
- Rasuwa and other areas of central Nepal.
- When
- The flash flood occurred on Wednesday; Nepal’s clarification and assistance requests were reported on Friday.
- Why
- Nepal is prioritizing its own forces because they understand the local terrain and environmental conditions, while seeking foreign help for bridge construction and highly technical tasks.
Concern over foreign assistance
Nepal government’s explanation
Initial rescue leadership
Concern over foreign assistance
The decision to use only national forces initially could be interpreted as Nepal refusing or limiting outside rescue assistance.
Nepal government’s explanation
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said assistance was not rejected; Nepal prioritized its own forces because they know the rugged terrain and local conditions.
Role of international teams
Concern over foreign assistance
External rescue teams could potentially provide additional personnel and capabilities during a disaster of this scale.
Nepal government’s explanation
Nepal said unfamiliar foreign teams could complicate coordination and create unforeseen risks, but it remains ready to accept help requiring specialized technical skills.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- At least 579 people, according to Nepal Police.
- Missing people
- Nearly 1,000.
- Disaster type
- Massive flash flood.
- Infrastructure damage
- More than three dozen bridges, along with roads, settlements and hydropower infrastructure, were damaged or swept away.
- Requested bridges
- Nepal asked India and China to help construct 42 Bailey bridges.
- Foreign relief
- India dispatched two tranches of relief materials to Nepal.
Quotes
Shisir Khanal
Nepal’s foreign minister
“Since deploying an external rescue team in unfamiliar terrain can add complexity to coordination and technical management and may also create unforeseen risks, rescue operations were carried out using the available national capacity.”
telegraphindia.com
“International assistance was not rejected but that the rescue strategy was decided based on national capacity, immediate need and Nepal's unique geographical situation.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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