Khanal told journalists that the reconstruction and recovery of Nepal could cost several billions of dollars, three days after the catastrophe that resulted in more than 600 deaths and about 2,500 missing people in the Himalayan country.
He requested support from the international community, stating that assessments of losses and damages will be conducted before organization begins. The minister emphasized that, at this moment, the top priority is providing aid and saving as many lives as possible.
Khanal also made a specific appeal for help, mentioning that hundreds of bodies have been found and there is a risk of decomposition, stressing that sanitary capacities to preserve them are limited. He added the need for medico-legal means, such as identifying victims through DNA samples.
The tragedy, caused by a flood of water, ice, mud, stones, and debris, affected both Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday, destroying infrastructure and localities on both sides of the border, although the full extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
Preliminary figures in Nepal were updated, registering 626 deaths, a slight increase from the previous 616, while the number of missing people rose from 1,924 to 2,426, including more than 500 foreign tourists.
Regarding Portuguese citizens, three of the six signaled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lisbon have been located, with three remaining unreachable.
In Tibet, the death toll also increased to seven, raising the total number of confirmed fatalities on both sides of the border to 633. China reported 558 missing people, including 260 foreigners, without detailing their nationalities.
Several countries and international organizations have already offered emergency financial aid to Nepal, whose economy, dependent on tourism and remittances from Nepalese emigrants, faces difficulties. However, this support has arrived gradually and with amounts considered modest so far.
The European Union (EU) announced a contribution of two million euros, and the United Kingdom offered five million pounds sterling (equivalent to 5.8 million euros at the current exchange rate). Canada made available five million Canadian dollars (3.1 million euros) to support emergency relief efforts in Nepal.