KATHMANDU: The European Union has allocated €2 million in emergency humanitarian aid to support people affected by the recent devastating flash floods in Nepal.
The emergency funding will help meet the immediate needs of affected families and communities, including food, healthcare, clean water, sanitation and shelter. EU-funded humanitarian partners are already providing assistance in disaster-hit areas.
According to the EU, its partners began responding soon after the disaster, using pre-positioned emergency shelter materials and relief supplies to provide immediate assistance to affected communities.
The latest €2 million package comes in addition to nearly €3 million in humanitarian assistance allocated to Nepal earlier this year, mainly to strengthen disaster preparedness.
The EU is also deploying its Rapid Response Coordinator for Asia to support coordination of its humanitarian response in Nepal. In addition, the bloc has activated the Copernicus Emergency Management Service, using satellite information to produce maps of affected areas and support emergency response planning.
EU Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib said the floods have washed away roads, isolated villages and left families searching for missing loved ones. She said the €2 million assistance would help provide urgent healthcare, food, water and shelter to affected communities.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed condolences and solidarity with those affected by the disaster. She said the emergency funding is intended to deliver life-saving assistance to families and communities hit hardest by the floods.
The EU said the assistance forms part of its wider humanitarian response as relief organisations and authorities continue working to support communities affected by the disaster.
