Bangladesh offers Nepal assistance after devastating floods and landslides

Bangladesh has offered Nepal all possible assistance after devastating flash floods and landslides, foreign minister Khalilur Rahman said Thursday.

Khalilur said he spoke by phone with Nepalese foreign minister Shisir Khanal, who said authorities were still assessing damage and would inform Dhaka what assistance was needed.

“We are prepared,” Khalilur told journalists at the foreign ministry.

He said Bangladesh had received no information that any Bangladeshi national was affected. Dhaka asked Nepal to immediately report if any Bangladeshis were found among those affected and said flight arrangements were ready if repatriation became necessary.

Bangladesh also plans to send humanitarian relief, including tents, mosquito nets, dry food, flashlights, shovels, sleeping bags, water containers, and body bags.

Khalilur conveyed condolences from prime minister Tarique Rahman and Bangladesh’s people, calling the disaster a “terrible tragedy.”