Govt Commends Chinese Tunnel Rescue Experts; China Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthen Disaster Management Cooperation

अर्थ र बाणिज्य

Kathmandu, September 18: Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun held a meeting with Zhang Maoming, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nepal, and Chinese tunnel rescue experts deployed to the flood-affected areas of Bhotekoshi.

During the meeting, Minister Pun expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Government and people of China for providing full support and humanitarian assistance to Nepal in rescue and disaster response efforts during the devastating landslides and floods.

Minister Pun highly appreciated the contribution made by the Chinese tunnel rescue experts working in Nepal and stated that Nepal is keen to further strengthen cooperation with China in disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as post-disaster reconstruction. He also expressed a commitment to advancing cooperation to continuously promote the interests and well-being of the people of Nepal and China.

On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador Zhang thanked the relevant Nepali authorities for their support and coordination in facilitating the work of the Chinese tunnel rescue experts. He stated that China would stand alongside Nepal in overcoming the difficulties caused by the disasters and reaffirmed China’s commitment to providing further assistance to Nepal for disaster response to the devastating landslides and floods, as well as for post-disaster reconstruction.

During the meeting, Ambassador Zhang and Minister Pun also signed a “Hand-Over Certificate” concerning the transfer of tunnel rescue equipment provided to Nepal by the People’s Republic of China.

At the request of the Government of Nepal, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched nine Chinese tunnel rescue experts to Nepal on August 29 and 30. The experts were deployed to provide the necessary technical assistance and expertise for tunnel rescue operations in Nepal.

The tunnel rescue equipment and support provided by the Chinese government, together with the expertise of the specialist team, are expected to help enhance Nepal’s capacity in tunnel rescue operations and enable more effective disaster response in the event of potential disasters in the future.

The meeting underscored the priority given by both sides to continuing and further strengthening cooperation between Nepal and China in the areas of disaster prevention and mitigation, rescue operations, and post-disaster reconstruction.

What additional information did minister Pun provide?

Minister Pun formally informed the meeting that Nepal had received rescue and relief materials for flood victims from the Chinese government through six military cargo aircraft. According to Pun, the supplies included drones, DNA testing kits, PCR machines, body freezers, tents, and kitchen utensils, among other materials.

Minister Pun stated that the Chinese government had provided US$200,000 in cash as a grant, along with an additional US$200,000 for the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. He further informed that materials worth approximately US$200,000 had also been received through the Red Cross.

For disaster management purposes, six disaster relief experts and 15 forensic experts from China have arrived in Nepal. The forensic experts are currently working at the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

Minister Pun expressed special appreciation to the Chinese expert team for its assistance in rescue operations in the Trishuli area under difficult and hazardous conditions.

He also noted that artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite data provided by the Chinese government had played an important role in monitoring conditions in disaster-affected areas.