Kathmandu, Aug 31 (PTI) Nepal has sought additional international support, including specialised equipment and technical assistance for tunnel rescue and forensic work, as rescue operations continued after the floods that have killed hundreds and left thousands missing.
During a press briefing in Kathmandu on Monday, Nepal’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri said the country had sought essential non-food items and services such as freezers, DNA testing kits and LiDAR from the US, relief-specific items like DVI from Singapore, and belly bridges and high-capacity drones from China and Singapore.
So far, Nepal has received airtight bags for the management of bodies, while more are also being delivered.
A team of 18 forensic experts from India specialising in DNA analysis has been in Nepal since August 29.
Chhetri said Nepali agencies are working with specialised technical teams from India and China on tunnel rescue operations. A team from South Korea has also been mobilised, officials said.
According to the Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, coordination to mobilise a DVI team from Singapore is underway.
Nepal has received rescue support from India, China, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and other countries and development partners.
“Items in this regard include bridge units, freezers, generator sets, solar lamps, DNA testing kits, bridge units, emergency relief equipment as well as tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets and medicines,” Chhetri said.
Likewise, relief materials have been received from India, China, the UAE and other countries. More supplies are coming from the UAE, Myanmar, the US, Qatar, the UK, Australia, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other friendly countries, and international organisations and partners such as the UN, WHO, WFP and UNICEF, he said.
“We have also received generous pledges of financial assistance from our friends and partners from across the globe. We deeply value support and assistance in this difficult time, and we are truly grateful,” Chhetri added.
Flash floods, triggered by a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal on August 26. The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects. PTI SBP ABD ABD
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