EU provides additional Rs89 million in aid for Nepal flood victims

The European Union has added Rs89 million to its emergency response for communities affected by Nepal’s devastating flash floods. The new contribution raises the bloc’s total emergency funding for the disaster to more than Rs445 million.

The money will support an operation run through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund, with the Nepal Red Cross Society leading the effort. The operation aims to reach up to 20,000 people, or about 4,000 households, in Bagmati Province.

Families will receive emergency and transitional shelter, cash assistance, water and sanitation services, healthcare, mental health and psychosocial support, protection and other essential aid. The assistance comes after floods caused extensive loss of life and widespread damage to homes, infrastructure and basic services.

The EU is also using its Copernicus satellite service to provide maps for response and recovery operations. Through its Civil Protection Mechanism, Germany, Luxembourg, Latvia and Sweden are sending shelter and hygiene items, forensic equipment and other supplies.

A Humanitarian Air Bridge to Kathmandu is being organised as part of the response. A flight carrying more than 80 tonnes of supplies from the EU’s emergency stock in Copenhagen is scheduled to arrive later this week. The European Commission has also signed a €16 million agreement with the IFRC to support the disaster fund, which provides immediate financial assistance to national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies during emergencies.