Regional tensions have intensified after Israel and the United States launched a joint attack on Iran. In response, Iran has begun targeting US and Israeli military installations in the Gulf region.
As the overall Gulf region becomes unstable, millions of migrant workers, particularly the Nepali community, are left stranded and anxious.
It is estimated that around 2 million Nepali workers are employed across Gulf countries. Nepalis living in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other countries are now grappling with the question: “What’s next?” The fear that the conflict may escalate has heightened their worries.
According to Nepalis in the UAE and Qatar, security measures have noticeably increased lately. In some locations, workers have been temporarily granted leave from work, while local authorities have instructed people to remain safely indoors.
“We have been told not to go to work, so we are staying at home,” a Nepali worker in the UAE told Onlinekhabar via phone. “So far, the situation is not as chaotic as seen on social media, but we are worried about what the future holds.”
Another Nepali working in Qatar said that regular warning messages and siren alerts are being sent to mobile phones. After the sirens, people are instructed to stay in safe places and not go outside.
Security has also been heightened in the UAE, and residents are being advised to stay indoors, considering potential risks.
As tensions rise, the risk of rumours and misinformation also increases. The UAE government has explicitly warned against spreading unverified information, photos, or videos on social media.
Such activities may be punishable under local law. In particular, there is fear among the public that missiles might stray from their intended targets, which increases anxiety. Therefore, authorities have urged high vigilance and advised people to rely only on official information.
Meanwhile, the Nepali Embassy in the UAE has issued “Advisory–2,” appealing to the Nepali community there to act responsibly and cautiously.
The embassy has requested people not to share unverified or misleading content via social media or other means, and not to broadcast information from unknown sources. Earlier, the embassy had also advised against unnecessary travel and urged strict adherence to security measures.
The advisory notes that local authorities have warned that spreading rumours may result in legal action. Therefore, Nepalis residing there are urged to fully comply with local laws and follow only official updates.
Nepali embassies in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Kuwait have issued public notices, asking the community to remain alert and safe.
There is also concern that if the conflict continues, it could affect employment and daily life.
“A few days off is fine, but if the situation prolongs, how will we manage to survive while stuck in our rooms?” one worker asked.
They note that if work stops, income halts, and necessities like food could become difficult to manage.
Although Nepalis in Gulf countries are currently safe, the uncertainty caused by the regional conflict is increasing psychological stress.
Preparations must be proactive, not reactive: Migration expert
Since a large number of Nepali workers are employed in Gulf countries, there is growing concern in Nepal about their safety, access to information, and potential evacuation preparedness.
Migration expert Jeevan Baniya emphasised the need for the state to undertake immediate, multidimensional preparations. He stressed that the tendency to react only after problems arise must not be repeated.
Nepal must learn from past conflicts and crises and prepare in advance, he says.
“We have experienced similar situations in the past. Now the situation is directly affecting people, but our tendency is still to act only after problems arise,” he says. “If preparatory work is not carried out regularly, managing a crisis becomes difficult.”
First, the state must have updated information on how many Nepalis are in each Gulf country, city, and workplace.
“If we don’t have accurate data and contact numbers, how will information be communicated and coordination handled during a crisis?” he questioned.
Baniya emphasised that accurate information is more important than rumours during emergencies, and that regular updates are essential.
“The situation, risks, what to do and what not to do, all this must be communicated to workers in a phased manner,” he says.
He also noted that many Nepalis in the Gulf, especially young workers, do not understand the Nepali language well, so information should also be provided in languages like Maithili and Bhojpuri.
He added that the Nepali diaspora plays an important role in crisis management. Diaspora leaders can quickly update and reach workers, ensuring faster dissemination of information and assistance.
If the conflict escalates, there is a risk of casualties or deaths. In such cases, rescue and humanitarian assistance become necessary, requiring coordination of flights, diplomatic engagement with destination countries, and management of international air travel.
Nepal does not currently have enough aircraft capacity to evacuate a large number of workers at once. In past situations, assistance from countries like India and Bangladesh has sometimes been used. He emphasised that continuous diplomatic dialogue is essential for such coordination.
Baniya mentioned that some workers stranded in Nepal due to recent international flight disruptions illustrate the need to utilise the Welfare Fund of the Foreign Employment Board.
“The fund can be used to extend tickets, arrange housing, or repatriate workers if necessary,” he says.
He also noted that the “exit visa” system in some Gulf countries could pose obstacles during evacuation, so continuous dialogue with the relevant countries is necessary to facilitate movement.
According to Baniya, this crisis presents an opportunity for Nepal to address structural weaknesses in labour migration management.
“Risk assessment, updated data, multilingual information systems, diaspora coordination, and diplomatic preparedness, if institutionalised, future crises can be managed more smoothly,” he says.
Government preparations
Following rising tensions in the Middle East, the government of Nepal has reportedly begun taking necessary measures. The government has temporarily suspended labour approvals for Nepalis intending to go to Gulf countries.
This decision was made in light of the current situation between Israel, the United States, and Iran.
Labour, Employment, and Social Security Minister Rajendra Singh Bhandari stated that four tasks are currently underway. For the time being, labour approvals for foreign employment have been suspended.
Minister Bhandari said that until further notice, all labour approvals for Nepalis going abroad are on hold.
Additionally, Nepalis waiting at airports to travel to affected countries have been asked to return home. Given the increased security measures in these countries, the government has advised workers to go back home.
The ministry’s call centre has been kept operational 24/7, he adds.
The government has also stated that it is prepared for evacuation if the situation escalates.
“Depending on how events unfold, we are preparing plans for evacuations tomorrow or the day after, if necessary,” Minister Bhandari says.
