Nepalese embassy serves community despite crisis

Dubai: Nepal has not recalled any of its embassy officials, said the Nepalese Charge d' Affairs in UAE.

Madhuban Prasad was reacting to numerous calls fielded by Gulf News from the Nepalese community who were curious about the future of their embassy after the new multi-party Cabinet in Nepal recalled ambassadors from 12 countries on Sunday.

"I am the Charge d' Affairs and I was appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am not appointed by the King. The ambassadors who have been recalled are those who were appointed directly by the King after he assumed power," he said.

Nepal's King Gyanendra sacked a democratically elected government in 2002.

The Nepalese Embassy in Abu Dhabi does not have an ambassador, only a Charge d' Affairs. There is no consulate in any of the emirates.

Members of the Nepalese community who spoke to Gulf News said their biggest fear during the unrest was the closure of their embassy that was established in April 2004. Prior to this, a two-member team of Nepalese officials from the embassy in Riyadh provided consular services in the UAE.

The Nepalese community in the UAE has been rapidly increasing since 1999.

"I do not want to remember the delay and the long wait that we were subjected to when we did not have an embassy. Consular services were being given to us by our embassy in Riyadh every three months," said Naresh Sinha, a Dubai-based worker.

"I hope that the new Cabinet will appoint an ambassador to the UAE and also designate an official who will look into labour related problems," said Devandra Shreshta, who works as a driver.

Madhuban Prasad said the embassy is battling with staff shortage and lack of funds. He hopes that things will look up if the Nepalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs trains officials in tackling labour problems.

"It took me a while before I got acquainted with the labour scenario ... here. This is because I had held various political positions," said Prasad. "Our community is increasing in the UAE and hence it has become quite essential to have a registered association."

He had already requested the local authorities to allow the community to have its own association that will look into welfare and cultural activities.

"I was informed that if there has to be (an) association it has to be managed and controlled by the embassy. This will prove a bit difficult because ... we do not have the required funds nor do we have the presence of a Nepalese business community," said Prasad.

Fact file: 80,000 expats from Himalayan Kingdom