PM Shah, New Zealand counterpart Luxon hold telephone talks

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Balendra Shah held a telephone conversation with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today.

During the conversation, Prime Minister Shah briefed Prime Minister Luxon on the ongoing search, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts following the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa.

Prime Minister Shah said the government has accorded high priority to the search for foreign nationals who remain missing following the disaster. He also briefed the New Zealand Prime Minister on efforts to locate missing foreign nationals, including five New Zealand citizens.

Prime Minister Shah thanked the New Zealand government for providing humanitarian assistance worth two million New Zealand dollars following the disaster.

He said Nepal is highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters and urged the New Zealand government to provide constructive support in international forums for securing financial assistance for loss and damage caused by climate change.

During the telephone conversation, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed condolences on behalf of his government and people over the devastating floods in Nepal and conveyed solidarity with the people of Nepal.