NRN Australia–Canberra Urges Nepal to Strengthen Emergency Support and Embassy Accountability-A memorandum to Nepal’s Foreign Minister
CANBERRA, Australia, 10 October 2026 — The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Australia–Canberra has submitted a memorandum to Nepal’s Foreign Minister, Shishir Khanal, calling for a more effective support system for Nepali citizens in Australia and greater accountability from Nepal’s diplomatic mission. The memorandum, presented during a meeting in Canberra on 9 October, highlights the need to improve assistance for Nepalis facing mental health challenges, homelessness, visa-related difficulties, emergency situations, repatriation and reintegration. It also calls for stronger measures to protect international students and other vulnerable members of the Nepali community.
The meeting was attended by NRNA Australia spokesperson Ashok Basnet, NRNA Australia–Canberra coordinator Lalit Malla, secretary Nabin Paudel and representatives of various community organisations. The association urged the Nepalese Government, the Embassy of Nepal in Australia and relevant organisations to strengthen coordination and establish clear procedures for providing timely assistance to Nepali students, workers, families and other citizens experiencing hardship.
Emergency assistance fund proposed
The memorandum proposes establishing an emergency assistance fund to support Nepali citizens facing serious medical conditions, accidents and other crises. The proposed fund could help cover hospital-related expenses, emergency accommodation, funeral costs, the repatriation of deceased persons to Nepal and emergency airfares for people who need to return home. NRNA Australia–Canberra said a coordinated framework involving the Nepalese Government, the embassy and Nepali community organisations in Australia would help clarify responsibilities, improve access to assistance and ensure support is delivered more efficiently. The proposal also highlights the importance of establishing transparent procedures for assessing applications and coordinating assistance between relevant organisations.
Greater focus on mental health and student welfare
The reported support cases indicate that members of the Nepali community in Australia face a range of challenges, including mental health concerns, homelessness, visa complications and student welfare issues. The association called for stronger coordination among relevant agencies to ensure people experiencing difficulties can access appropriate counselling, safe accommodation, essential services and assistance with returning to Nepal when necessary. International students and other vulnerable individuals may require timely support when facing personal crises, housing insecurity or complex immigration circumstances. The memorandum emphasises the need for a more coordinated response so that people in distress can receive appropriate assistance without unnecessary delays.
Call for effective implementation of non-resident Nepali rights
The memorandum also raises concerns about the practical implementation of non-resident Nepali citizenship provisions and related rights.The association called for accessible, transparent and straightforward procedures that allow eligible people of Nepali origin living overseas to exercise their rights under Nepal’s existing legal framework. It also urged the government to create conditions that enable Nepalis living abroad to maintain their connections with Nepal and contribute to the country’s social and economic development.
Strengthening Nepal–Australia ties through the diaspora
NRNA Australia described the Nepali diaspora as an important partner in strengthening social, economic, professional and cultural ties between Nepal and Australia.The memorandum calls for policies that make it easier to channel the diaspora’s knowledge, skills, experience and financial resources into Nepal’s development.Priority areas include investment, entrepreneurship, skills transfer, tourism promotion and foreign direct investment (FDI).The association said clear policies, streamlined investment procedures and effective facilitation mechanisms would help encourage greater participation by Nepalis living overseas in the country’s development.
Long-term cooperation and institutional accountability
The memorandum calls for a sustainable framework for cooperation between the Nepalese Government and Nepali communities overseas, with the safety and welfare of Nepali citizens remaining a priority. It emphasises the importance of combining immediate emergency assistance with longer-term measures to protect citizens’ rights, clarify embassy responsibilities and support the diaspora’s contribution to Nepal. The proposed approach seeks to establish a more structured system for responding to emergencies while improving coordination among government agencies, diplomatic representatives and community organisations.
130 support cases reported across Australia
According to NRNA Australia’s Support Cases by State | FY 2026 – Revised Summary, updated on 9 October 2026, a total of 130 support cases were reported across Australian states and territories during the 2025–26 financial year.
New South Wales recorded the highest number, with 82 reported cases. These comprised eight repatriation cases, 24 mental health cases, 18 cases associated with homelessness and visa-related difficulties involving the need to return to Nepal, and 32 other student welfare cases. The student welfare category also included domestic violence incidents.
The remaining cases were distributed across several states and territories:
- South Australia: 10 cases
- Tasmania: nine cases
- Queensland: seven cases
- Western Australia: seven cases
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT): seven cases
- Victoria: three cases
- Northern Territory: three cases
- State or territory not specified: two cases
All 10 reported cases in South Australia were related to reintegration.
Tasmania recorded five repatriation cases, two mental health cases and two other student welfare cases.
In the ACT, the reported cases included two requests for funeral assistance, three cases involving individual welfare support and two requests for air tickets to return to Nepal.
The figures provide an indication of the range of assistance sought by members of the Nepali community across Australia. However, the report cautions that the data are preliminary, may contain duplicate entries and require further verification of the classification methods used.
Accordingly, the figure of 130 should be understood as the total number of reported support cases, rather than a confirmed count of 130 unique individuals who received assistance.
The figures highlight the importance of reliable case reporting, clear referral pathways and coordinated support services for Nepalis experiencing hardship in Australia.
Sources: NRNA Australia memorandum dated 1 October 2026; Support Cases by State | FY 2026 – Revised Summary, updated 9 October 2026.
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