By Bhishma Raj Ojha, KATHMANDU:- In the wake of rising conflict in West Asia of late, the government has formed a rapid action team for the safety and rescue of Nepalis living and working in West Asia.     

The action team works to collect regular information, establish inter-agency coordination and recommend for taking necessary measures for the safety of hundreds of thousand Nepalis in the West Asia, a prime employment destination of Nepali youths.

The team was formed on Tuesday under the coordination of Secretary at Foreign Ministry. The team establishes coordination with neighbouring countries and international agencies for the help and rescue works. The team comprises representatives from Foreign Ministry, Home Ministry, Finance Ministry, Ministry of Law, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Education Ministry, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, among others.

Information on it was shared during a press meet organized at the Ministry on Tuesday. Chief of Middle East, West Asia, and Africa at Foreign Ministry, Ramkaji Khadka, informed that the team had begun its task as per its mandate.

Coordination is underway to request the related air lines company and agencies to manage food and lodging to the Nepalis who are stranded in transit.

The situation in West Asia has become tense after Iran launched a counter attack against the joint military strike carried out by the USA and Israel last Saturday. Iran, that initially targeted the US military bases across the region, has recently expanded its attacks to airports, petroleum refineries and other highly sensitive locations in several countries.

The conflict has created uncertainty among more than 1.9 million Nepalis living and working in various countries in the affected region. With dozens of flights to and from the region canceled, several Nepalis who were preparing to travel there or return Nepal are stranded.

Spokesperson at the Ministry, Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhettri, said that ensuring safety of the Nepalis in that region is the top priority of the government and thus the Ministry was taking necessary measures.

Chhettri informed that eight Nepali embassies and two consulate general offices located in that region were regularly obtaining information and coordinating efforts to ensure safety of the Nepalis there. He added that the Ministry has issued an advisory, urging people to strictly comply security related directives and information.

The Ministry has also set up an online portal for the Nepali citizens in those regions to fill out a form so that they can receive regular updates about the conflict situation and remain in coordination.(RSS)