KATHMANDU, Feb 28: Two hundred and forty-four Nepalis affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict have reached their destinations safely. According to the High-Level Committee for Assistance and Rescue of Nepalis affected by Conflict, 60 people have reached Poland, 12 Slovakia, four Hungary, 12 Romania and two Nepalis have reached Moldova.
Similarly, 130 Nepalis were stopped at the border of Poland, 12 at the border of Slovakia, 10 at the border of Romania and two at the border of Moldova on their way to safe destinations from Ukraine. They are expected to cross the border by Monday evening.
According to the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) of Ukraine, 40 families have been living permanently in Ukraine, while some Nepalis are still living in various cities of Ukraine and are in a wait-and-watch situation.
A meeting on Sunday chaired by Nepal's Ambassador to Germany, Ram Kaji Khadka, chairman of the High Level Committee on Assistance and Rescue of Nepalis affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has decided to take necessary steps for the safe relocation of Nepalis displaced by the war.
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Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Khadka said that the embassy had issued travel documents to 34 Nepalis displaced from Ukraine.
At the meeting, Dr Badri KC, vice-chairman of the NRNA and coordinator of the committee said that Kumar Pant, President of NRNA, was mobilizing himself in the border area of Poland to rescue Nepalis.
Jeevan KC, president of NRNA, Poland, said that it has become easier for stranded Nepalis to get out of the border area as the movement across the border has been loosened up starting Monday.
NRNA Health Committee Coordinator Dr Bodhraj Subedi said that 11 Nepalis were rescued and brought to safety in the border area. The movement of women and children was made more comfortable in the border area than of men. He stated that there is no food problem for Nepalis in the border area of Ukraine and Poland.
Representative of NRNA, Slovakia, Jay Prasad Siwakoti, informed the media that eight Nepalis who were in distress were evacuated. He said that the representatives there were working actively to take the Nepalis to safe areas.
Nawa Raj Pokharel, Nepali consul for Romania, said 12 Nepalis have entered Romania safely. He said many Nepalis were trying to enter Hungary illegally from Romania. He further added that after applying for asylum in one country, it would be illegal to move to another country until the final hearing of the application.
The high-level committee said that it will mobilize more volunteers in the border area, coordinate for air tickets for those who want to return to Nepal, arrange food and lodging for Nepalis in the border area, mobilize NRNA national committee for legal advice, set up a rescue mechanism locally, and provide necessary identity cards for volunteers, activities such as fundraising will be taken forward.
During the meeting, Member Secretary of the high-level Committee Chiranjibi Khadka highlighted the activities of the committee in the last 24 hours and informed participants that the rescue work of Nepalis is being carried out by forming a coordination committee locally. The committee is also preparing to compile statistics on Nepalis displaced by the war.
