KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 27

The government and the Non-Resident Nepali Association have formed a High-Level Committee for Assistance and Rescue of Nepalis affected by the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

The committee will be chaired by Nepal's Ambassador to Germany Ram Kaji Khadka and coordinated by NRNA Vice-chair Badri KC (Russia). Members of the committee are Chiranjibi Khadka from Czech Republic, Jeevan KC (Poland), Hari Bahadur Malla (Ukraine), Shiva Kumar Bhurtel (Russia), Jaya Prasad Siwakoti (Slovakia), Nawaraj Pokharel (Romania), Suresh Shrestha (Hungary), Yaduram Panthi (Czech Republic), and Milan Panta (Germany).

A sub-committee has also been formed under the coordination of Bodhraj Subedi to provide necessary health services to conflict victims.

An interaction was held through virtual media to discuss the possibility of rescue and assistance to Nepalis affected by the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.

Speaking at the interaction, Khadka said 220 Nepalis affected by the conflict between Ukraine and Russia had come in contact with the embassy.

He said the embassy was coordinating with the Nepali government and local organisations to help Nepalis.

Kumar Pant, president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, has urged Nepalis living in the conflict-torn country of Ukraine not to panic.

He said, 'No one should be without guardians wherever NRNA helps Nepalis in times of distress. We are ready to help.'

Recalling that the union had rescued Nepalis from many countries of the world during the calamity, Pant said, 'We are also committed to helping Nepalis living in Ukraine.'

Nepal's Acting Ambassador to Russia Sushil Ghimire said the condition of Nepalis living in Russia was normal.

He said that the embassy was ready to provide necessary assistance for the rescue of Nepalis in distress in Ukraine.

The NRNA also agreed to mobilise more volunteers in Ukraine border areas, arrange air tickets for those who want to return to Nepal, arrange food and lodging for Nepalis in border areas, mobilise NRNA National Committee for legal advice, set up a rescue mechanism locally, and provide necessary credentials for volunteers.

Participants at the programme also urged the high-level committee to take forward activities, such as fund raising immediately.

Nepalis affected by the conflict in Ukraine have been rescued through the borders of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, and Slovakia.

So far, 400 Nepalis have come in contact with the Nepali Embassy in Germany and the NRNA.

A version of this article appears in the print on February 28 2022, of The Himalayan Times.