FM to work with NRNA in relief works

Kathmandu, Aug. 31

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has expressed the government's commitment to working with the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) and the international community for their support during the difficult time of disaster.

During a meeting with a delegation led by the NRNA International Coordination Council President Dr. Hem Raj Sharma at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Monday, Minister Khanal welcomed the NRNA's initiative to mobilise Nepali communities abroad by bringing them together and engaging them in disaster management and reconstruction efforts.

He pledged that the MoFA would maintain continuous coordination, cooperation and facilitation with the NRNA in this regard.

Saying that the government alone could not undertake the rehabilitation and reconstruction required after such a major disaster, FM Khanal stressed the need to work with the NRNA and the international community throughout all stages, from relief to rehabilitation and reconstruction.

He said the NRNA could coordinate with local governments and relevant agencies to distribute relief materials and should provide the government with the necessary details both before and after relief distribution.

On the occasion, Dr. Sharma, on behalf of the NRNA, handed over Rs. 10 million to the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund. It had announced that it would provide Rs. 50 million in relief and humanitarian assistance to disaster-affected people.

Dr. Sharma said that, alongside addressing the immediate needs of affected families, the association was preparing to provide further support for relief, healthcare and rehabilitation in coordination with the relevant authorities.

 

FM talks to FMs of Singapore, Malaysia

FM Khanal held telephone talk to his counterpart of Singapore Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, and of Malaysia Mohamad Haji Hasan on Monday.  

Dr. Balakrishnan and Hasan expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the floods and landslides and conveyed Singapore's solidarity with Nepal.

They said that their governments were ready to provide humanitarian assistance based on Nepal's identified needs.

Singapore is also preparing to provide a Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team and drones to support the ongoing search and relief operations, while Malaysia expressed its readiness to provide further assistance based on Nepal's identified needs.

During the conversation, FM Khanal briefed them on the government's efforts in post-disaster search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation. He said the search for missing persons was continuing.

Published in The Rising Nepal on 1 September 2026.