Kathmandu, April 1: The Middle East war has disrupted something as basic as bringing the dead home. More than 40 bodies of Nepali migrant workers remain stranded abroad as flight schedules collapse across the region.
Officials say the problem is due to a smaller number of flights being operated from the Gulf. Fewer flights mean fewer chances to repatriate remains. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Chhetri Paudel confirmed that even when paperwork is complete, bodies cannot be flown back on time. Whatever flights are operating, embassies are trying to secure space, but progress is slow.
The backlog spans multiple countries. Saudi Arabia accounts for the highest number, with 12 bodies in Riyadh and six in Jeddah. The United Arab Emirates has seven, Kuwait six, Qatar five, Cyprus two, and one each in Oman and Israel. All are cleared for transport, just waiting for planes that may or may not come.
The wider crisis is escalating. After the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran in mid-March, Tehran responded with attacks not only on Israel but also on US-linked bases across the region. Airspace closures followed. Kuwait and Bahrain remain fully shut, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia allow only limited flights.
The human cost is rising. The conflict has resulted in the death of one Nepali and injuries to 19 others across the UAE, Iraq, and Oman. At the same time, seven Nepalis have been arrested for violating local laws, including posting war-related content on social media.
Behind these numbers sits a larger reality. Over 1.7 million Nepalis work across West Asia. In just the first six months of the current fiscal year, 743 people have already died abroad. Last year, the figure crossed 1,500.
Meanwhile, more than 80,000 Nepalis in the region have registered online seeking assistance.
The government under Prime Minister Balendra Shah has begun forming two task forces to assess the crisis and prepare responses. One will study immediate impacts, while another will deliver policy recommendations within days.
People’s News Monitoring Service
Login to add a comment