KATHMANDU, MARCH 4
The Government has formed an emergency response team to monitor the safety of approximately 1.8 million Nepali citizens in West Asia, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a Nepali youth was killed in an attack at Sheikh Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
The Emergency Response Team, constituted under the coordination of the Foreign Secretary, includes joint-secretary-level representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers and the ministries of Home, Finance, Law, Culture Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Education, along with the Department of Foreign Employment and the Department of Consular Services. The team aims to ensure coordinated, prompt and effective action as the situation in the region continues to be monitored.
On the fatality, the UAE government informed Nepali authorities of the death. The Embassy of Nepal in Abu Dhabi has initiated the repatriation process, and the deceased's family has been notified in coordination with the concerned District Administration Office. The ministry expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family.
Apart from this incident, all ten Nepali missions across West Asia have reported that Nepali citizens in the region, as well as those transiting through airports there, are safe so far.
To track and assist Nepali nationals, the Department of Consular Services has developed a secure online data collection system, with missions already issuing notices to gather updated information. The ministry said this would facilitate swift rescue, advisory and consular services where needed.
The ministry said its missions are filing daily situation reports to Kathmandu and maintaining active diplomatic coordination with host governments, embassies of concerned countries in Kathmandu and international organisations.
Nepali nationals in West Asia are urged to follow only advisories from their respective host governments and official notices from the ministry and Nepali missions, to adopt all recommended safety measures and to remain in contact with the nearest mission and local community networks.
Further updates will be issued as the situation develops, the MoFA said in the statement.
