Nepal declines assistance from foreign rescuers after flood

The government of Nepal has rejected offers from a number of countries to send search and rescue teams to help look for those missing after the flood in the Bhote Koshi, The Kathmandu Post reports.

The authorities believe that the country's army and police are capable of conducting the search on their own. Nepal's decision was influenced by the experience of the 2015 earthquake, when the large number of foreign rescuers complicated the coordination of rescue operations.

Offers of assistance came from India, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Instead of involving foreign rescuers in the search, Nepal hopes to receive financial assistance through a single mechanism.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and the World Bank have already announced financial support for Nepal. India has sent more than 47.5 tons of humanitarian aid to Kathmandu.

Following the flood, 517 foreigners are listed as missing. To assist the victims and coordinate the search, Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up an emergency response team.

Source: RBC