Kathmandu, March 4 (NationPress) Approximately 16,000 Nepali citizens living in conflict-affected West Asia have submitted their information to an online rescue tracking system initiated by the Nepali government, according to a statement from the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

The Department of Consular Services within the ministry established the online registration platform to gather updated details on Nepali nationals in the region during the ongoing US-Iran conflict, which has impacted significant areas across West Asia.

Over 1.7 million Nepali nationals reside across 12 countries in the region, raising safety concerns as Iran has conducted retaliatory strikes in response to joint operations by the United States and Israel, affecting several civilian sites in Gulf nations.

The Nepali government confirmed the death of a young individual, Diwas Shrestha, from the western district of Gorkha, who lost his life during a drone interception operation at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

As the risks for Nepali migrant workers escalate, the government created the online registration system to bolster rescue and support initiatives for those in danger.

"We will enhance the system's accessibility to ensure it reaches a broader audience," the ministry stated in a press release.

Additionally, Nepali diplomatic missions in the region have been instructed to improve information dissemination in collaboration with Nepali associations, community organizations, and the Non-Resident Nepali Association.

"The Emergency Response Team (ERT), led by the Foreign Secretary, will assess the collected data to determine the type and urgency of necessary assistance," the ministry explained.

During an ERT meeting on Wednesday, it was also resolved to set up a 24-hour Emergency Control Room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"The Control Room will manage hotlines, respond to emails, and address grievances continuously," the ministry noted.

The ERT further instructed Nepali diplomatic missions in West Asia to arrange necessary support, including visa assistance, for Nepali citizens currently in transit at airports in the Gulf region.

As numerous airspaces in various West Asian countries remain closed due to the conflict, many travelers, including Nepalis, have found themselves stranded at airports, the ministry reported.

The government has also decided to direct its diplomatic missions to refrain from authenticating demand letters for Nepali migrant workers until further notice, in light of the travel advisory issued by the foreign ministry and the temporary halt of labor approvals for foreign employment.

Remittances from Nepali workers abroad constitute a crucial pillar of Nepal’s economy, meeting household needs and significantly contributing to the nation's foreign exchange reserves, which facilitate imports of goods and services.