Bangladesh provides $1 million in aid to disaster-hit Nepal

Bangladesh has provided Nepal with $1 million to support relief, recovery and humanitarian efforts after devastating floods and landslides hit northern Nepal.

The contribution went to Nepal’s Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, according to Bangladesh’s embassy in Kathmandu. The amount equals about 12.3 crore Bangladeshi taka, or approximately 152 million Nepalese rupees.

Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir conveyed the decision to Nepal’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari, while handing over a letter from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

Bangladeshi officials have also expressed condolences and solidarity. Parliament adopted a condolence motion on August 27, observed a minute of silence and offered prayers for victims. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman later spoke by telephone with Nepal’s foreign minister, Shishir Khanal, and assured him that Bangladesh was ready to provide humanitarian assistance.

The Bangladeshi government said the aid reflected the two countries’ longstanding friendship and close relations, as well as solidarity with Nepal’s people after the disaster.