Kathmandu, Sep 15: France has sent emergency humanitarian assistance to Nepal to support relief and recovery efforts in communities devastated by the deadly Bhotekoshi floods, with nearly 1,400 people killed and more than 5,000 still missing.
The French Embassy in Kathmandu handed over a consignment of relief supplies to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Tuesday.
The consignment includes floor mats, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, water purification tablets, solar lamps and medical kits aimed at meeting immediate needs of affected communities.
The supplies were provided at the request of the Government of Nepal through the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism. French Ambassador-designate Franoise Puig-Inza handed over the assistance to Nepal’s Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun.
“The Embassy of France in Nepal has officially handed over a consignment of in-kind emergency humanitarian aid to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) to bolster immediate relief and recovery operations following the devastating Bhotekoshi floods,” the embassy said.
The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal. The Bhotekoshi River carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects.
“In the wake of this tragic disaster, France stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Nepal,” Puig-Inza said.
She said the emergency assistance and future support reflected France and the European Union’s commitment to helping local authorities in their relief efforts and supporting vulnerable communities in rebuilding their lives.
France is also expected to contribute to international assistance for people affected by the disaster through United Nations agencies, the International Federation of the Red Cross and French NGOs Action Contre la Faim and Triangle Génération Humanitaire, which are already working in the affected areas.
The latest aid contribution comes as Nepal continues large-scale relief and recovery operations following the devastating floods and assesses the extensive damage caused to infrastructure and communities.
