International assistance flows to Nepal flood survivors; Modi discusses situation with Balendra Shah
Kathmandu, August 26: India, China and the World Bank have offered immediate assistance for the rescue, relief and reconstruction of flood-affected people in disaster-hit Nepal.
So far, 22 people have been confirmed dead in the massive flash flood in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi river on Wednesday morning. The death toll of the affected people is feared to rise. More than 400 tourists, including 105 Indians, are missing since the accident.
Immediately after the news of the flashflood broke out, World Bank’s National Director for Nepal, David Sislen, contacted Nepal’s Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle over the phone at 10:35 am. According to the Finance Minister’s Secretariat, Sislen informed about the possibility of providing up to 25 billion Nepali Rupees (25 billion rupees) in emergency assistance from various sources.
Meanwhile, southern neighbor India has requested the Nepal government for a list of immediate relief materials needed for flood-affected people, so that the necessary supplies can be made available quickly.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah over the phone and expressed condolences for the loss of life caused by the floods in Nepal. Modi stated that the people of India stand firmly with the people of Nepal in this hour of crisis and that India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. According to him, Indian teams are closely coordinating with the relevant parties in Nepal for rescue and relief operations.
India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Our teams are closely coordinating with the rescue and relief efforts.
Meanwhile, northern neighbor China has also offered immediate cash assistance. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming, through the Finance Minister, has requested the Nepal government to initiate the process of sending the funds.
On behalf of the Government of Nepal, Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle expressed gratitude for the generous support assured by neighboring countries and donor organizations. According to the Finance Minister’s Secretariat, the government is discussing the process and modalities for providing assistance through inter-governmental coordination.
The declaration of the affected local bodies of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading as “disaster-affected areas” at today’s Council of Ministers meeting has opened the way for mobilizing domestic and international assistance for relief and reconstruction.
