KATHMANDU: The government is preparing to evacuate Nepalis, particularly migrant workers, stranded in various labor destination countries.
Considering the number of such people, the government has also decided to establish additional quarantine facilities across the country.
The government is preparing to evacuate Nepalis without a valid visa in the Gulf countries, Kuwait, and Malaysia.
Likewise, the government plans to repatriate those who have already bought return tickets but could not come due to the lockdown or flights cancelled.
A study team formed by the government had earlier recommended evacuating 25,000 Nepalis stranded abroad in the first phase.
The government estimates that more than four hundred thousand Nepalis currently in Gulf countries and Malaysia are waiting for immediate evacuation.
“Among them the government would rescue 25 thousand in the first phase,” Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali said adding, “The number can go even higher.”
They will be tested for coronavirus before boarding the plane. According to him, they will also have to stay for a mandatory quarantine of 14 days before going to their homes.
According to Nepali Ambassador to UAE Krishna Prasad Dhakal, a significant number of Nepalis, including migrant workers have been calling at the embassy seeking immediate repatriation.
“We are aware of the fact that they are having a hard time in UAE,” says Dhakal, adding, “Most of them have lost their jobs, visas have been expired of some.”
According to an online survey carried out by the embassy in UAE, a total of 15 thousand Nepalis had registered their names seeking immediate repatriation.
“The number of Nepalis wanting to go back to Nepal is increasing day by day,” he said.
Likewise, Nepali Ambassador to Kuwait Durga Prasad Bhandari says, “Majority of the Nepalis here in the country (Kuwait) want immediate repatriation.”
As many as 8,000 Nepalis migrant workers, who have received amnesty in Kuwait, are waiting to be evacuated at the earliest.
The Kuwait government has provided food and shelter to them.
Likewise, Nepali Ambassador to Qatar, Dr Narad Bhardwaj says as many as 1,000 Nepalis need to be immediately evacuated from Qatar.
The Nepali Embassy in Kuwait is currently collecting details of the Nepalis who are in trouble.
“A total of six thousand Nepalis want to be repatriated immediately from here,” Dr Bharadwaj said.
As many as 35,1000 Nepalis are currently working in Qatar.
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