UK boosts international aid effort in Nepal

3 May 2015 12:49 PM

Britain releases new £5.3 million support package to the UN following their ‘Flash Appeal’ to help people affected by the Nepal earthquake.

The UK government’s humanitarian response package for the Nepal earthquake now stands at £22.8 million, following a contribution to the United Nations’ emergency appeal, International Development Secretary Justine Greening announced recently.

Britain has released a new £5.3 million support package to the UN following their ‘Flash Appeal’ to provide additional help to people affected by the devastating 7.8 magnitude Nepal earthquake. Britain’s contribution will help key UN agencies in Nepal coordinate the international relief effort and ensure aid supplies reach all those in need.

Justine Greening said:

The UK is standing by Nepal and its people in their hour of need by ensuring lifesaving supplies continue moving around the country and by providing charities on the ground with fast-tracked funding.

But even more has to be done to make sure these vital supplies keep reaching those who need them. With this latest British boost we will help the UN coordinate the relief effort on the ground and ensure everyone affected by this disaster continues to get the support they need.

The UN has appealed for $415 million (£274 million) of aid following an assessment of the needs on the ground. The UK’s £5.3 million contribution will make funding available for the following UN agencies in Nepal:

• WFP (World Food Programme) - £800,000 to boost logistics efforts and keep aid supplies moving. This includes forward staging platforms, storage facilities and a dedicated fleet of trucks to move humanitarian supplies around.
• OCHA (Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs) - £500,000 for better humanitarian coordination, including collecting information from affected communities and particularly vulnerable groups, such as women, children and the elderly, to ensure aid reaches those who need it most.
• IOM (International Organization for Migration) - £2 million to provide shelter to homeless families.
• IFRC (International Federation of the Red Cross) - £1 million to give displaced people with shelter and basic tools to repair damaged homes. It will also provide emergency cash assistance for the most vulnerable households.
• UNICEF - £1 million to get safe, clean water to people who have lost their homes.

The UK is playing a leading role in responding to the Nepal earthquake and is currently the largest donor to the relief operation.

Britain’s £22.8 million humanitarian response includes:

• £5.3 million for UN agencies in Nepal to coordinate the international relief effort and provide clean water and shelter for affected families;
• £3 million released under the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) to six charities and NGOs already working on the ground: Save the Children, Mercy Corps Scotland, Care International UK, ActionAid, Oxfam and Handicap International;
• £2 million for the British Red Cross;
• £5 million to match public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal which will support NGOs on the ground;
• a £5 million package to provide a further team of 30 trauma medics, logistical support and equipment to ease congestion at Kathmandu Airport and humanitarian experts in water, health and sanitation. DFID has also deployed a team of more than 60 UK International Search and Rescue responders and specialist rescue dogs; and
• £2.5 million for the UN Humanitarian Air Service to enable organisations already on the ground to immediately get aid supplies to more isolated areas. On top of this, DFID is deploying three RAF Chinook helicopters.

Notes to editors

1. The UK government is providing consular assistance to British nationals who have been caught in this disaster. We are urgently looking into ways we can assist further including help to get British nationals out of Nepal. The situation on the ground is highly challenging. Basic telephone communication and infrastructure are severely disrupted.
2. Anyone who is caught up in this incident or worried about a loved one should call the FCO on +44 (0) 207 008 0000.
3. For more information on the UK government’s response to the earthquake in Nepal please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nepal-earthquake-uk-aid-response

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