Its domestic security agencies are capable of handling the operation, Nepal’s Balen Shah-led government said on Friday. Disaster-hit Nepal has reportedly turned down offers from several countries to send search and rescue teams after devastating flash floods swept through towns and villages near the China border.
For now we don’t require such help,” Lok Bahadur Chhetri, spokesperson for Nepal’s foreign ministry, said, news agency Reuters reported. “The offer for help is natural. Our security agencies are doing the search and rescue operation.
The government has received requests from India, China, the US, UK, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to allow their search and rescue teams to assist with the operation. Nepal, though, is seeking financial contributions through a one-door mechanism. The government has instructed its missions abroad to seek help only through the Prime Minister Relief Fund. British foreign secretary Ed Miliband also spoke to foreign minister Shisir Khanal and spoke of the UK government’s support. He also sought updates on rescue operations, including efforts to locate missing British nationals.
India has sent more than 47.5 tonnes of relief supplies to Nepal and has offered Bailey bridges and prefabricated truss bridges, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday.
Officials said Nepal decided to rely on its army, police and other domestic agencies. The decision was taken on the recommendation of the Nepali Army and police, the official said. “We received similar requests from China and other countries too, but we had to turn down the request,” the foreign ministry official said, according to the Kathmandu Post. “Whatever request has been made by Nepal, we are acting on that,” said Jaiswal. Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda said he contacted PM Balendra Shah to convey the bank’s support for Nepal.
