Kathmandu, March 3 (NationPress) In light of the escalating US-Iran conflict impacting West Asia, the Nepali government has established an Emergency Response Team focused on safeguarding the well-being of Nepali citizens in the region.

Currently, over 1.7 million Nepalis are living in 12 countries across West Asia, making their safety a critical concern for the government, as stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“An Emergency Response Team has been assembled under the guidance of the Foreign Secretary to effectively tackle safety issues concerning nearly 1.8 million Nepalis in the area,” announced Ram Kaji Khadka, a joint secretary at the ministry, during a press briefing.

This team includes representatives at the joint-secretary level from various government entities, such as the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministries of Home Affairs, Finance, Law, Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, and Education, as well as the Department of Foreign Employment and the Department of Consular Services. This collaborative approach aims to deliver prompt, coordinated, and effective responses to any safety challenges.

The significant presence of Nepalis in the conflict-ridden Middle East raises serious concerns about their safety and job security, as their remittances are vital to Nepal's economy.

As Iran retaliates against joint attacks by the US and Israel, several civilian facilities in Gulf nations have come under threat, putting millions of Nepalis—predominantly migrant workers—at risk.

The government has confirmed the death of a Nepali youth, Diwas Shrestha, from the Gorkha district, who was killed during a drone interception operation at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Fortunately, the ministry reported that other Nepali nationals in the region remain unharmed. Furthermore, the Department of Consular Services has implemented a secure online system to gather real-time information about Nepali citizens in the affected areas. Nepali diplomatic missions have issued public advisories to facilitate this process.

The ministry’s system is designed to enable rapid rescue, counseling, and other necessary consular services.

Additionally, Khadka mentioned that the ministry has instructed Nepal’s ten diplomatic missions in West Asia—including embassies in Tel Aviv, Doha, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Manama, Kuwait, Muscat, and Cairo, along with consulates in Jeddah and Dubai—to provide regular “situation analysis reports.”

The ministry has called on Nepalis to minimize unnecessary risks and adhere to safety advisories issued by their respective governments, as well as official communications from Nepali missions in the region.