UK pledges millions to support earthquake-hit nation
As Nepal begins its long recovery from the huge earthquake which affected millions across the country, Britain continues to provide aid with more shelter kits being delivered this week.
More than 65,000 people have already benefitted from the kits, with many routinely stored in the nation as part of the Department for International Development’s (DFID) disaster response plan, whilst extra supplies have also been flown into Nepal following the disaster.
This meant UK aid supplies were among the first to reach communities who lost their homes following the earthquake.
On top of the shelter already distributed, DFID will deliver nearly 20,000 more shelters to Nepal in the coming weeks, enough to house over 100,000 people.
The Government of Nepal estimates that 500,000 homes were destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake, leaving millions without shelter as the monsoon season approaches.
Flights carrying 9,500 shelter kits, each with two tarpaulins, will be flown in from the UK’s warehouse in Dubai and another 10,000 kits will be delivered by truck from India.
Following the Government of Nepal’s announcement that the search and rescue phase is coming to an end, the UK’s International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) team have also now begun to return home.
During their deployment they played a key role in the relief effort, carrying out search operations, providing first aid and making safe a hospital that can now treat hundreds of patients.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening said she wanted to thank all the search and rescue teams who had helped to save hundreds of lives.
“Our pre-positioned shelter kits meant that within 24 hours of the earthquake British aid was reaching communities who had been hit hard and providing temporary homes to thousands of people across Nepal,” she said.
“Ahead of the monsoon season, we are delivering thousands more to help the Nepalese people cope as they recover from this tragic disaster.
“I would like to thank our incredible search and rescue workers and medics whose tireless efforts are saving many lives. We should feel immensely proud of these brave men and women and the role they are playing in Britain’s humanitarian response to the earthquake in Nepal.”
The UK has now pledged to continue to play a leading role in responding to the earthquake in Nepal and is currently the largest donor to the relief operation with more than £23million donated.
