Cabinet Approves $24.27 Million Grant, Mobilizes Diplomatic Missions for Rescue of Nepalis in Conflict-Affected West Asia

Kathmandu — The government has decided to accept a grant assistance of $24.27 million (approximately $24,267,427). The decision was made during a meeting of the Council of Ministers held at the Prime Minister’s residence in Baluwatar on Sunday.According to the government, the grant will be provided through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The funding will be used for a project aimed at protecting livelihoods and property by reducing the risks posed by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and other flood-related disasters in Nepal’s Himalayan river basin areas.The project is expected to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience in vulnerable mountainous regions where melting glaciers and unstable glacial lakes have increasingly raised the risk of sudden floods. Officials say the initiative will help improve early warning systems, risk management, and local capacity to respond to climate-induced disasters.In another decision, the Cabinet has instructed Nepali diplomatic missions in West Asia to coordinate immediate relief and rescue efforts for Nepali citizens affected by the ongoing conflict in the region or stranded in transit. The embassies in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait City, Manama, Muscat, Islamabad, Cairo, and Tel Aviv, along with the Nepali Consulates General in Jeddah and Dubai, have been directed to make necessary arrangements to assist Nepali nationals.The government said the measure aims to ensure rapid coordination and support for Nepalis who may require evacuation, emergency assistance, or travel facilitation amid the rising tensions in the region.Meanwhile, the Cabinet has also decided to receive and study the report submitted by the investigation commission formed to examine the incidents related to the “Gen-Z uprising” that occurred on September 9 and 10 (Bhadra 23 and 24 in the Nepali calendar).Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal informed that the Cabinet will review the commission’s findings in detail before determining further action regarding the events.