On Thursday, Nepal’s Foreign Ministry made it clear that it will not accept offers from international rescue teams looking to assist in emergency operations after a catastrophic series of landslides and floods impacted the region, including Tibet.
Officials indicated that multiple countries have been eager to send personnel to aid in recovery efforts, which include searching for bodies and rescuing those trapped. However, for logistical reasons, Nepal has declined these offers, preferring instead that countries contribute financially.
Nepal and parts of Tibet were hit hard by destructive landslides and flood waves starting Wednesday, likely triggered by a “glacial collapse” due to intense rain, according to scientists. Footage from these areas revealed large mudslides swallowing up buildings, bridges, and even entire villages as residents attempted to escape. Authorities reported on Thursday that many towns are entirely cut off as avalanches obliterated critical roads.
As of Friday, the Nepalese government confirmed over 500 deaths and reported that more than 1,400 individuals are missing. Meanwhile, the authorities in occupied Tibet reported five confirmed fatalities along with at least 543 missing.
The disaster has garnered significant international attention, not only for the extensive destruction caused but also due to the high number of foreign nationals among the deceased and missing. The flooding affected a popular Hindu pilgrimage site and areas frequently visited by tourists. Officials in Nepal suggested that citizens from around three dozen countries could be involved in the incident.
“According to reports from Nepal Police, we have missing persons including 178 Indians, 65 Americans, 51 Malaysians, and others from several additional countries,” shared the Kathmandu Post.
Nepalese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri noted that while many offers of assistance have poured in, the country is currently equipped to handle the situation on its own.
“The offers for aid are understandable. Our security agencies are conducting the search-and-rescue missions. At present, we don’t need additional help,” Chhetri explained.
In light of the ongoing situation, the Kathmandu Post also reported that Nepal is not accepting foreign rescue teams and is instead inviting countries to make monetary donations through a streamlined process to facilitate access to needed resources.
Officials from various nations such as India, China, the US, and South Korea have requested permission for their teams to assist, but instead, Nepal plans to set up an “Emergency Response Team (ERT)” to manage communications with countries whose citizens are impacted.
“The ERT will act as the main coordinating body within the ministry for search, rescue, information verification, and consular assistance regarding foreign nationals affected by the floods,” a statement from the Nepalese Foreign Ministry said.
The decision to decline international rescue teams is informed by Nepal’s earlier experiences, particularly with the 2015 earthquake that led to coordination challenges among many foreign teams competing to provide aid.
Nepal has faced severe challenges in the past; the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in April 2015 resulted in over 8,800 deaths and marked widespread destruction. A report by the United Nations a year later highlighted damage totaling about $7 billion, recognizing that while the response was largely effective, communication could use improvement.
“Globally, humanitarian systems tend to focus on addressing communities rather than engaging them directly,” stated the UN report.
Reflecting on the tenth anniversary of the earthquake, a writer for Nepal News criticized the emergency response as chaotic due to the presence of many disorganized rescuers, undermining efficient aid distribution.
“The government’s slow creation of the National Reconstruction Authority led to confusion and overlapping efforts,” the writer observed. “Numerous NGOs acted independently, often leading to issues with inflated costs and poor targeting.”
Various countries are still making efforts to convince Nepal to let their rescue teams in. South Korea, which dispatched rescue personnel, reportedly has their team waiting at Kathmandu Airport, as the Nepalese government has not permitted them to fly due to ongoing flooding concerns.
“The rapid response team is seeking cooperation from Nepalese authorities to get authorization for helicopter operations,” a South Korean Foreign Ministry representative shared. “We are continuing our efforts.”
