Key Takeaways:

• Japan provided DNA extraction kits to support victim identification
• Kits can process up to 480 DNA samples
• Assistance aims to strengthen forensic examination capacity
• Support comes in response to the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi flood disaster

KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 9 The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided DNA extraction kits to Nepal Police to support the identification of missing and deceased people following the 2026 Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi floods. JICA Nepal handed over the kits to the Nepal Police Central Forensic Science Laboratory (NPCFSL) on Thursday in response to a request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the laboratory. The kits have the capacity to process up to 480 samples and are expected to strengthen DNA extraction capacity, expedite forensic examinations and support DNA-based identification of flood victims. Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Maeda Toru handed over the kits to Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun at a ceremony held at the Nepal Police Academy in Maharajgunj. A Letter of Delivery and Acceptance was also exchanged between JICA Nepal Chief Representative Matsuzaki Mizuki and Minister Pun during the ceremony. The assistance is part of Japan's emergency response to floods that severely affected Rasuwa, Nuwakot and surrounding areas. JICA said it would continue to support affected communities in their recovery and reconstruction efforts.