As many as 16,000 Nepali nationals working in various Gulf countries have submitted their information to the online registration system launched by the Department of Consular Services within 24 hours.

The information was released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday after the first meeting of the emergency response team to address the grievances of the Nepali citizens working in various Gulf nations following the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran.

Tension has escalated across the Gulf region following the attacks by the US and Israel and retaliatory firing of missiles by Iran at various Gulf countries.

For the purpose of updating details of Nepali nationals in West Asia, approximately 16,000 individuals have uploaded their information in the online registration system launched by the Department of Consular Services, said the ministry. The system will be further simplified and made more accessible to ensure broader outreach.

“Missions have been instructed to strengthen information dissemination in coordination with local Nepali associations, communities, and the Non-resident Nepali Association, among others. Based on the collected data, the nature and priority of necessary assistance will be determined through the ERT,” said the ministry.

The government of Nepal is fully aware of the developments unfolding in the West Asia region, reads the statement. “The ministry has been continuously and closely analysing the situation.”

Based on daily reports from Nepali missions in West Asia, regular updates are being gathered on the status of Nepali nationals residing there. And Nepal’s embassies in the Gulf countries are told to facilitate the Nepali citizens if they are facing any problems there.

The missions have maintained close contact and coordination with the respective government authorities, security agencies, and the Nepali community in those countries.

According to the information received so far, all Nepali nationals residing in various countries of the region, as well as those using airports for transit, are reported to be safe, the ministry said.

In order to address the grievances of the Nepali citizens and to facilitate Nepali missions in the Gulf, the government has formed an ERT headed by foreign secretary, Amrit Bahadur Rai.

The first meeting of the Emergency Response Team formed to ensure effective, coordinated, and prompt management of the situation was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Secretary Rai. The meeting made several important decisions to streamline overall efforts at helping the Nepalis stranded in war-affected regions, the ministry added.

As per the meeting’s decision, an Emergency Control Room will be established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate a 24-hour hotline, email response service, and grievance handling mechanism. Representatives from the ministries of Foreign Affairs; Home Affairs; Labour, Employment and Social Security; and Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation will be assigned to operate the control room.

Likewise, instructions have been issued to the relevant missions to ensure necessary arrangements and visa facilitation for Nepali nationals currently in transit at various airports in West Asia.

In view of the travel advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the temporary suspension of labour approvals by the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, it has been decided to instruct the concerned missions not to authenticate demand letters at this time, the ministry said.

Special emphasis has been placed on strengthening coordination with the concerned countries and international organisations to ensure the rights, interests, and safety of workers, said the ministry.

The meeting also decided to provide necessary recommendations to the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding visa facilitation for foreign nationals stranded in Nepal under adverse circumstances.

“The government of Nepal reiterates its full sensitivity and commitment to the safety, protection, and welfare of approximately 1.8 million Nepali nationals in West Asia. All concerned are requested to rely only on official information and to take necessary precautions. The ministry will continue to provide regular updates on the situation.”