Ministry of Foreign Affairs Joint Secretary Arjun Kanta Mainali has been appointed the special envoy to observe and assess the security crisis in Iraq and coordinate rescue of thousands of Nepalis illegally working in the war-torn country.

MoFA today designated Mainali as the Special Representative of the foreign minister for the welfare of Nepalis living in Iraq. The assignment is for four-weeks, with the possibility of further extension if deemed necessary. Joint Secretary Mainali will operate from the Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait and set up a crisis-response centre there. He has the full authority to visit Iraq and its neighbouring countries, including Turkey and Iran, as and when necessary and can talk to high-ranking officials, foreign diplomats and Nepali community based in these countries.

He is authorised to take staff of the Nepali Embassy in Kuwait with him on such visits. He can use and mobilise human, as well as financial, resources in the rescue endeavours. Nepal has no embassy in Iraq. Its embassy in Pakistan is concurrently looking after Nepal’s concerns in the Gulf country.

Talking to THT, Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey said though there was no report of casualty or injury to Nepali workers so far, the government decided to act swiftly and be ready with all rescue options to thwart any unfortunate incident.

Mainali, who heads the South East and Pacific Division at MoFA, will fly to Kuwait City in a day or two once the visa formalities are over. The Special Representative has been given full diplomatic, administrative and financial authority to help rescue Nepalis from the crisis zones, MoFA Spokesperson Deepak Dhital told THT. He will plan smooth and safe exit of Nepalis in crisis zones awaiting help and those caught in the sectarian violence between pro-government Shia and Sunni rebels in Iraq.

The foreign ministry has also sought help of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Organisation for Migration in rescue efforts. MoFA will request the United States and India to rescue Nepali nationals as well when they rescue their citizens.

An estimated 30,000 Nepalis are working in Iraq. The figure cannot be verified though, as Nepalis are banned to work in Iraq and whoever has reached there has done so through informal channels.

Published on: 25 June 2014 | The Himalayan Times