KATHMANDU, MARCH 10

Rescue work of most of the Nepali nationals stranded in Ukraine following the Russian invasion has been completed.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of Russia-Ukraine Conflict Affected Nepalis' Assistance and Rescue High Level Committee of Non-Resident Nepali Association yesterday, Nepali Ambassador to Germany Ramkaji Khadka said Nepali nationals caught up in the war had been taken to safer places.

He also said the rescue operation of Nepali nationals was over. The Embassy of Nepal in Germany is concurrently accredited to oversee Ukraine.

'No Nepali was harmed and all are safe due to the prompt rescue operation. Even after completion of rescue work, we still have challenges ahead in their rehabilitation,' the envoy said.

According to the NRNA, Nepalis living in Ukraine have moved to various countries, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Spain, Germany, Romania and Moldova in search of refuge and safety.

The NRNA informed that 466 Nepalis had reached Poland, followed by Slovakia (78), Romania (28), Hungary (8) and Moldova (4). 'As many as 585 Nepalis have moved to safer destinations so far,' it said.

Ambassador Khadka said three Nepalis had last been rescued through an Indian flight and were on the way back home via New Delhi.

Similarly, 40 Nepali have collected travel documents from the embassy. According to the NRNA, 38 Nepali families have not been able to leave Ukraine due to their permanent residency and business in the wartorn country. Some of them are said to have developed mental health problems.

Meanwhile, the NRNA has appealed to all and sundry to focus on fund collection for rehabilitation of Nepalis affected by the war.

NRNA chapters of the countries concerned have also been urged to provide necessary assistance and shelter to the evacuated or translocated persons from Ukraine.

Earlier, the embassy had issued an advisory to all the Nepali nationals living in Ukraine, saying their safety and safe passage to less risky areas of the West and South was its first priority.

A version of this article appears in the print on March 11, 2022, of The Himalayan Times