Kathmandu, September 21
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says international technical assistance for disaster management continues to arrive from various friendly nations.
At a regular press briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Poudel Chhetri gave information about international technical support being received in search and tunnel rescue as well as DNA identification.
According to him, a 24-member tunnel rescue team from India, coordinating with the Nepal Army, has been deployed in the Chilime and Langtang hydropower project areas, while a 9-member tunnel rescue team from China, also coordinating with the Nepal Army, has been mobilised in the Upper Trishuli 3’A’ project area. Spokesperson Poudel also said a rescue team from Korea has arrived in Nepal.
He said a 19-member DNA analysis expert team from India has been working in the field since August 29, and that coordination is underway to bring a 4-member forensic team from China as well as a disaster victim identification team from Singapore.
The ministry said DNA samples from bodies that could not be immediately identified are being preserved, and the bodies have been temporarily buried according to international standards.
Spokesperson Poudel said damage assessment will be carried out to prepare a “Post-Disaster Needs Assessment,” and long-term international assistance will be sought on that basis.
