Efforts are underway to send US vaccines to Nepal: Ambassador Khatiwada

Kathmandu / May 16: Nepal’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada has said that discussions are underway with the US government to bring 3 to 5 million units of AstraZeneca vaccine to Nepal.

At a time when the government is facing criticism for not taking any steps to bring COVID-19 vaccines through the diplomatic channels, Ambassador Khatiwada said that he has taken initiatives for the same.

Urging the Nepali community leaders to lobby with the US political establishment for this, Dr Khatiwada said that everyone should cooperate from their own level to reach out to the US government regarding the impact of COVID-19 in Nepal.

The ambassador, who arrived in Dallas, Texas from the embassy, said a lot of work was being done in favor of non-resident Nepalis. Stating that the NRN Bill is in the process of being enacted, he said that after its enactment, NRNs, too, will be citizens of Nepal and will be issued NRN cards, dual citizenship, and that the economic, social and cultural rights and other issues raised by NRNs have been included in the bill.

He said that the government of Nepal is ready to provide services through temporary mobile camps. He also said that though it is positive about having consulates in various cities of the United States where the density of Nepalis is high, it is not possible right now.