The government has decided to send a high-level government team to Iraq to facilitate the rescue efforts of Nepalis trapped there in the wake of worsening security situation.

A decision to send a team led by a Joint-Secretary was taken by Minister for Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey in view of ensuring safety of Nepali migrant workers there. "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 told Republica. Minister Pandey said the team will be sent after ensuring necessary coordination with countries adjoining Iraq. "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.

Nepal government in coordination with the missions of India and Bangladesh and international agencies such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and International Office of Migration (IoM) has decided to either relocate the distressed Nepalis to safer locations both within or outside Iraq or facilitate their return to home. 

Meanwhile, 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, according to Nepal´s embassy in Pakistan, which is concurrently accredited to Iraq. "It may take additional one or two days," said ambassador Bharat Raj Paudyal.

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.

Published on: 24 June 2014 | Republica