Nepal’s Foreign Minister Balananda Sharma has said the government has begun advance preparations for the possible evacuation of millions of Nepali citizens living in conflict-affected regions, particularly in the Middle East.
Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Sharma announced that the ministry has established a “Situation Center” to improve preparedness and coordination during international crises.
He explained that the center has been created to ensure that the government can act with prior planning rather than reacting only when wars or conflicts erupt. According to Sharma, the new unit will monitor global developments and maintain updated records of Nepali citizens living abroad.
Responding to frequent questions about why Nepali workers are not immediately brought home when conflicts break out in the Middle East, Sharma said migrant workers often face psychological and practical constraints that make sudden return difficult.
The minister said that around 1.9 to 2 million Nepali citizens are officially working abroad, while the total number, including undocumented workers, could reach 2.5 to 3 million. Evacuating such a large population, he noted, would be a complex task requiring national-level planning, logistics, and infrastructure.
According to the minister, the Situation Center will regularly collect and update data on Nepalis overseas, including their location and living conditions. The information will serve as a critical operational base if large-scale rescue or evacuation missions become necessary in the future.
Sharma emphasized that the state cannot leave its citizens stranded abroad and said the government is committed to taking action if the safety of Nepali nationals is threatened.
