Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has clarified on Sunday that the British RAF Chinook helicopters were barred to enter Nepal due to Nepal’s difficult terrain.
At a press meet organized in Baluwatar on Sunday, Prime Minister Koirala said, ”the British Chinook were barred due to Nepal’s difficult terrain and the number of choppers already available in the country”.
The three Chinooks had been transported from RAF Brize Norton on April 30 but Nepal had refused permission for them to enter the quake-hit country, Daily Mailonline on 10 May had reported. Nepal’s Foreign Ministry had denied permission for them over fears they could damage houses.
Prime Minister Koirala in press meet informed that he had cordial talk with British Prime Minister David Cameroon on Saturday and requested UK’s involvement in the rehabilitation process.
Nepal government has been in controversy after barring British Helicopter to join the relief works as the helicopters from India, China and USA are helping take food, water and tents to affected communities. Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey had said that he had blocked the Chinook helicopter to land in Nepal airport.
Prime Minister Koirala has also urged international community and development partners to support Nepal’s reconstructions and rehabilitations effort. He said the country has entered the rehabilitations and reconstruction phase with the completion of search and rescue operations.
The government has allocated Rs.20 billion as seed money for already set up rehabilitation fund that targets of raising Rs 200 billion.