Nepal needs foreign help in specialised and technical areas in which it does not have expertise in the aftermath of the devastating flood that hit its Himalayan border with China this week, but not in search and rescue, its foreign minister told Reuters .
Khanal said late on Friday (August 28, 2026). Earlier on Friday (August 28, 2026), Nepal’s Foreign Ministry had said that Kathmandu could manage the rescue efforts on its own for now and declined foreign involvement.
Shisir Khanal said Kathmandu needs foreign help in areas such as rescuing people stuck in tunnels, opening transport and communication services in places where bridges have been destroyed, identification of dead bodies, DNA testing and storing bodies for longer durations. “We have already made requests for such specialised services and technical assistance in areas where we don’t have enough expertise and technical knowhow,” Mr.
Asked about that stance of his government, Mr.
Khanal said there was no need for assistance in general search and rescue which was being done by Nepali rescuers. “We think there is no need for repetition in this,” he said.
