Nepal Reverses Ban on Foreign Aid for Flood Rescue Efforts

Nepal has reversed its earlier decision to reject foreign aid for its devastating flood rescue operations, succumbing to significant international pressure. The U-turn follows an initial stance where the government stated it did not require external assistance for search and rescue efforts.

Kathmandu Post cited a senior government official who revealed the "great pressure from the international community" to allow foreign search and rescue teams and experts, particularly as foreign nationals were among those missing. Consequently, Nepal has agreed to a limited deployment of experts in specific areas.

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We received great pressure from the international community to allow at least search and rescue teams and a number of experts, as their citizens were also among those missing due to the floods. We are allowing a limited number of experts in specific areas.

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal clarified that these foreign experts will aid local rescue teams in identifying deceased individuals. This will enable authorities to return the bodies to their families more swiftly. The United Nations, the European Union, and several countries had already offered financial assistance to Nepal following the catastrophic floods.

The floods, which caused extensive damage and claimed at least 626 lives, were initially thought to be triggered by earthquakes and subsequent landslides. However, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) later determined that a glacial lake outburst, not underground seismic activity, was the cause of the massive water flow into the Bhote Koshi River.

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Foreign experts will assist local rescue teams in identifying bodies so that authorities can return them to families promptly.