Nepal rejects foreign rescue teams, citing self-sufficiency in flood response

Nepal has opted to manage its flood response independently, turning down offers of assistance from several countries, including South Korea, India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the nation's own security agencies are equipped to handle search and rescue operations.

"It is natural to offer support," said Lok Bahadur Chhetri, spokesperson for Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Our security agencies are conducting search and rescue operations. At this time, we do not need foreign assistance."

This decision appears to be influenced by the experience of the 2015 earthquake, when a large influx of foreign rescue teams led to coordination and management challenges. A senior official from the Nepalese Foreign Ministry noted that the current decision was made following recommendations from the Nepalese army and police.

Instead of rescue teams, Nepal is seeking financial aid through a single, unified channel. Sources indicate that the government plans to request further financial and other forms of support during the reconstruction phase.

International bodies like the U.S. State Department and the Asian Development Bank have expressed readiness to provide humanitarian and financial support to Nepal.

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It is natural to offer support. Our security agencies are conducting search and rescue operations. At this time, we do not need foreign assistance.