Nepal’s Global Humanitarian Diplomacy – A Gesture of Solidarity in the Face of Crisis

Known for its diverse identities on the international stage, Nepal is home to Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak; Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most revered sites of Hindu pilgrimage; and Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Rich in arts, culture, and heritage, the country offers refreshing indulgence in cultural experiences, scenic views, and historic landmarks for tourists.

In recent years, Nepal has expanded her long-standing image, adding a new dimension to her existing global identity by making relevant contributions during humanitarian crises that have helped solidify her diplomatic ties. This development has helped establish a message that Nepal is not only a recipient of aid during emergencies, such as the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic, but also a country that steps up to help others in times of need.

Over the past six years, Nepal has extended humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and China. The Government of Nepal, through special flights of Nepal Airlines, airlifted aid materials to Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

On March 28 this year, the East-Asian nation of Myanmar was struck by a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which claimed at least 3,000 lives, leaving more than 4,500 injured. In a gesture of solidarity and compassion, the Nepal government sent 27 tons of relief materials to the earthquake-struck nation. A team from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by joint secretary Tapas Adhikari, handed over the humanitarian aid, including food supplies, medicine, clothing, tents, and other essential supplies, collected under the joint effect of the Government of Nepal and the private sector.

According to Nepal’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Harish Chandra Ghimire, a team from the Nepal Army also assisted the Government of Myanmar in carrying out rescue operations and providing humanitarian assistance.

Prior to this, in the year 2022, Nepal had also sent relief materials to flood-affected Pakistan. On September 13, 2022, Nepal government, as a gesture of solidarity, dispatched over 22 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Pakistan. The then Joint Secretary of MoFA Sewa Lamsal formally handed over the relief material, to Sindh Provincial Social Welfare Minister Sajid Jokhio, in Karachi, Pakistan. The relief materials included food supplies, medicines, clothes, and other essential items. 

Likewise, in January of 2022, Nepal sent over 14 tonnes of humanitarian relief assistance to Kabul. After the US-led forces withdrew from Afghanistan in late 2021 and the Taliban returned to power in Kabul for a second time, the country has been grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. The Foreign Affairs Ministry briefed that the economic hardship and harsh weather conditions in Afghanistan necessitated humanitarian assistance and support from the international community to the Afghans.

The humanitarian assistance provided to Kabul included medicines, garments, and household supplies. The materials were handed over by Sewa Lamsal, the then joint secretary of the MoFA, to Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, amid a brief program organized at the Kabul Airport. 

Private sector apex bodies, organizations, and individuals, including the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Nepal Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, Honorary Consular Corps- Nepal, Agrawal Sewa Kendra, and Himalaya Airlines, extended their generous hands in support of the Mission. The then Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Khadka had noted that humanitarian assistance was provided keeping in mind the commonality of such crises in South Asian nations.

Further back in the past – during the coronavirus outbreak – Nepal had provided 100,000 protective masks to immediate neighbour China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal announced the donation on February 8, 2020. The then Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali and Health and Population Minister Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal handed over the masks to the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Hou Yanqi. As per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 100,000 units of protective masks were donated to the government of China as a gesture of friendship to the Chinese people and the government, and in solidarity with China’s fight against the Coronavirus outbreak.

Former Ambassador Rajeshwor Acharya remarked that Nepal’s support to other nations during the humanitarian crisis was a gesture of goodwill and solidarity. He further stressed that extension of support during times of need also helps reinvigorate bilateral ties and strengthen friendship between the engaging nations.

The goodwill and support shown during times of distress emphasise Nepal’s commitment to stand in solidarity with the nations facing crisis. The relief materials and aid may be relatively small in quantity, but the message that gets across, and its lasting impact in terms of diplomatic relations, is definitely huge.