KATHMANDU, MARCH 4

The Embassy of Nepal in Germany has issued an advisory to all the Nepali nationals living in Ukraine, saying their safety and safe passage to less risky areas of the western and southern territories is its first priority.

'The situation in Ukraine is still critical. Heavy fighting is being reported in the capital and some other regions of Ukraine. Your safety and safe passage to less risky areas of the west and south is our priority,' read the advisory. The Embassy of Nepal to Germany is concurrently accredited to oversee Ukraine. The situation in Ukraine is still highly volatile and unstable due to persistent Russian invasion.

The resolution of the conflict seems nowhere in sight.

The embassy has also urged Nepali nationals who are still in the territory of Ukraine to maintain calm, remain cautious and stay strong.

'You are also advised to stay indoor and take the opportunity to embark on public transportation when the curfew or any other security measure in effect is lifted,' the embassy said.

'Nepali nationals who are still stranded in Kyiv, Kharkiv or elsewhere in Ukraine and are in contact with the Indian community or individual friends, may join them for evacuation or translocation to the western and southern territory.

We request you to kindly reach out to the given contacts in case you face any problem on the way to your safer destination,' it added.

The contact person and email address are Sahara Chaulagain, third secretary of the embassy and eonberlin@ mofa.gov.np respectively.

Phone numbers of the office-bearers of the Non-Resident Nepali Association and leaders of other Nepali communities have also been provided in the advisory for contact.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by the NRNA today informed that majority of Nepali nationals in Ukraine affected by Russian invasion have reached safer destinations.

Speaking at a meeting of Russian-Ukraine Affected Nepalis' Assistance and Rescue High Level Committee yesterday, Nepali Ambassador to Germany Ramkaji Khadka informed that so far as many as 511 Nepalis had moved to various countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, among others. Of them, four Nepalis are said to have developed mental health problems.

Similarly, only 40 Nepalis have collected travel documents from the embassy.

Committee coordinator and NRNA Vice-president Badri KC said around 40 Nepali families have not been able to leave Ukraine due to their permanent residency and business in Ukraine.

NRNA has appealed to the Government of Nepal and the embassy to provide necessary assistance to the displaced Nepalis.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 5, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.