United Nations , EU appeal to help earthquake victims in Nepal

By Ramesh Tiwari —

Kathmandu: The death toll from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake increased to 8,029 people with 17,784 injured. The highest number of confirmed deaths has been recorded in Sindhupalchowk, Kathmandu , Nuwakot, Dhading, Rasuwa, Kavre , Gorkha, Bhaktapur , Lalitpur, Dolakha and Makwanpur districts.

The Government reports that more than 290,000 houses were destroyed and 269,000 houses partially damaged.

While relief efforts are going on , dead body management, identification of missing people and family reunification have become key challenges.

The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos and the European Union’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides have appealed to the international community  to continue its support to the millions of Nepali affected by Saturday’s earthquake , as people are struggling to rebuild their lives.

According to United Nations, over $ 22 million in bilateral contributions from Member States and private organizations has been received for the Nepal earthquake response. The Humanitarian Country Team is seeking $ 415 million to provide life-saving assistance for the next three months

The United Nations and partners have appealed for US$415 million urgently needed to provide vital relief to people affected by the devastating earthquake in Nepal. The joint action plan, outlined in the Flash Appeal document, aims to support Government efforts in addressing the most critical needs for shelter, water and sanitation, emergency health, food, and protection over the next three months.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on 25 April at 11:56 a.m. local time creating large-scale damage across the country, including in the densely-populated Kathmandu Valley.

Search and rescue and medical teams are working to find survivors and providing urgent medical care.

According to United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) , some eight million dollars is urgently needed to help disaster-struck Nepalese farmers rapidly recover lost agricultural inputs and resume preparations for the imminent rice sowing season,

An estimated 8 million people across the country’s Western and Central Regions are affected by the disaster, including its largest cities Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.
May 7 , 2015