Bangladesh offers Nepal all possible assistance: Khalilur

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman today (27 August) said Bangladesh has offered Nepal all possible assistance in dealing with the devastating flash floods and landslides, while remaining prepared to support any affected Bangladeshi nationals.

"We offered them all possible assistance," Khalilur told journalists this afternoon at the foreign ministry here after speaking by phone with his Nepalese counterpart Shisir Khanal this morning.

He said Nepalese authorities were still assessing the extent of the devastation and determining what assistance would be required.

"The (Nepalese) Foreign Minister told me that they are still assessing the extent of the damage and what kind of assistance they require. He said they would inform us by this evening or tomorrow," Khalilur said.

The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh was ready to respond once Nepal communicated its specific requirements.

"We are prepared," he said.

During the telephone conversation, Khalilur conveyed Bangladesh's sympathy and condolences over the devastating natural disaster on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the people of Bangladesh.

Khalilur termed the disaster a "terrible tragedy" and said Bangladesh's thoughts and prayers were with the families who had lost their loved ones.

The Foreign Minister also conveyed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's personal condolence message to Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah and expressed Dhaka's full solidarity with the government and people of Nepal.

Speaking to journalists, Khalilur said Bangladesh had so far received no information suggesting that any Bangladeshi national had been affected by the disaster.

"So far, we have not received the name of any Bangladeshi," he said.

He said a number of foreign tourists were travelling towards the Mansarovar area when the disaster struck.

Khalilur said Dhaka had requested the Nepalese authorities to immediately inform Bangladesh if any Bangladeshi national was found among those affected.

"If any Bangladeshi is found, alive or deceased, we will extend our full cooperation and take the necessary measures regarding them," he said.

The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh was also prepared to bring affected nationals home depending on the circumstances, adding that necessary flight arrangements were ready.

Nepal's Foreign Minister assured Khalilur of his government's cooperation regarding any Bangladeshi national who might be found affected by the disaster.

Earlier, the foreign ministry said Nepalese foreign minister Khanal thanked Bangladesh for its gesture of solidarity and informed Khalilur that Nepal would communicate its specific needs after completing an assessment of the situation.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has also taken an initiative to send relief supplies to Nepal as humanitarian assistance for people affected by the devastating landslides and flash floods.

The relief supplies include tents, mosquito nets, dry food, flashlights, shovels, sleeping bags, water containers and body bags, according to an official handout issued today.

The assistance will be sent based on Nepal's assessment of its immediate needs, the handout said.