Kathmandu, Aug 29 (V7N) – Nepal has appealed for international financial assistance following devastating floods near its border with Tibet, but said it is coping without foreign rescue teams as its security forces are capable of handling search and rescue operations .
"Our focus is on search and rescue right now," foreign ministry spokesman Lok Bahadur Chhetri told AFP. "It is not that we will not need help, but our security network is capable and working effectively right now. If Nepal needs any specialised help or expertise, then we will request it."
The prime minister's office has appealed for funds to help recover from the disaster, both domestic and international. Floods and landslides struck the region on Wednesday, killing at least 482 people, while destroying homes, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure.
Chhetri said multiple countries and international organisations had pledged financial assistance. "Several friendly countries and international organisations have pledged help and assistance, and it is in process. We have felt tremendous goodwill for Nepal," he said.
The disaster, described as a "terrible tragedy" by Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, prompted Bangladesh to offer Nepal all possible assistance . Nepal's mountainous terrain and difficult access to the flood-hit northern border area have complicated rescue efforts, but the country has experienced helicopter rescue pilots used to carrying out emergency flights in its Himalayan regions .
The decision to rely on domestic rescue teams follows challenges faced in 2015, when dozens of international teams arrived to help search for survivors after a devastating earthquake, creating coordination difficulties . As of Friday, confirmed deaths had risen to 482, with 680 people still missing and 66 injured, according to government figures . The flash flood was triggered by a glacial collapse and debris flow that dammed the Bhote Koshi River before it burst, affecting heavily populated areas in Nepal and India .
