KATHMANDU : The Nepal government has decided to send back foreign rescue and search experts camping in the nation following the April 25 massive earthquake that claimed more than 7,000 lives and rendered thousands homeless.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the Central Natural Disaster Committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister Prakashman Singh and Minister for Home Affairs Bam Dev Gautam. The meeting decided to send back all foreign teams as the search and rescue in the quake aftermath is almost over. Very few bodies are likely to remain in the rubble which our own security agencies are able to handle, Home Ministry spokesperson Laxmi Prasad Dhakal was quoted as informing mediapersons. According to sources, altogether 4,050 experts from 34 countries were involved in the relief operations in the past nine days.
The team also comprised 129 sniffer dogs. However, a few hundred foreign experts will stay back for relief distribution. The decision has been forwarded to the Cabinet, which will take its final call today. Foreign experts had assisted in searching mega structures and debris for bodies, said Mr Dhakal adding that now the country’s agencies were capable to look through small structures.
The government had asked for international community’s support in dispatching their teams to the quake affected regions in the nation. According to international practice, rescue teams leave the affected country within a week. However, the decision to send them back needs Cabinet approval. (AGENCIES)
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