The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Nepali missions in the region are closely monitoring the latest developments in the West Asia region. Necessary coordination and initiatives are being taken to ensure the safety, welfare and well-being of Nepali citizens there.
In this context, on Monday, the Ministry organized a virtual meeting with Nepali missions in the West Asia region and representatives of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and other organizations of the Nepali community to discuss and deliberate on the coordination and cooperation needed for the safety, rescue and assistance of Nepalis there and the current efforts being made.
Addressing the meeting, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai thanked everyone for the cooperation so far to ensure the safety and welfare of Nepali citizens and stressed the need for everyone to work together more actively, said a press release of the MoFA.
Nepali embassies and consulates remain open as usual. For essential work including passports, service recipients can schedule an appointment through the phone numbers or emails provided by the missions.
The relevant agencies in the region are regularly updating safety precautions and awareness-raising information. You are requested to stay updated on the information and precautions issued by the local government and Nepali missions. In addition, it is again requested not to record and share photos, videos or audio materials that are against the law, it said.
As of this evening, 57,100 Nepali citizens have registered their details in the online registration system launched by the Department of Consular Services to collect updated details of Nepali citizens in the West Asia region. Steps will be taken as necessary after studying the details received.
Limited air flights are being operated from some locations in the West Asia region. Discussions are also underway regarding the operation of flights to Nepal. Interested Nepali citizens can travel by air from the locations where flights are currently operating, the press note added.
Those who wish to return to Nepal from Saudi Arabia due to urgent reasons can send a photocopy of their passport, photocopy of visa, and details including travel plan to the Nepali mission in their country and request for visa facilitation.
In case of any problem, the Ministry once again requests that you immediately contact the Ministry’s Emergency Control Room telephone number or email and the contact channels provided by the Nepali missions in the concerned country, the release added.
In the meantime, as per RSS news, the Nepali Embassy in Qatar has urged the Nepali nationals living there to adhere to the security protocols set forth by the Qatari government.
In light of the recent events in the Middle East, the embassy has advised all Nepalis in Qatar to stay vigilant and prioritize their safety.
The embassy has emphasized the importance of following the security recommendations and directives from Qatari officials, which include remaining indoors, taking necessary precautions, and refraining from believing rumors and unverified information from unfamiliar sources.
Additionally, the embassy has requested that individuals refrain from sharing unverified information, news, and ‘video clips’, and to consistently monitor official announcements and emergency alerts, while maintaining regular communication with the embassy.
The embassy has confirmed that it is in constant contact with Nepalis in Qatar via telephone and other communication means.
Currently, there are approximately 360 thousand Nepali workers in Qatar. Tensions in West Asia have escalated following Iran’s retaliation against a joint military operation conducted by the United States and Israel on Saturday.
