Kathmandu, December 7
The European Union is providing grants worth up to Rs 27 million to families affected by the earthquake that shook western Nepal on November 9.
This funding will support the Nepal Red Cross Society in delivering much-needed assistance, including the provision of shelter materials, such as tarpaulins, blankets and mattresses, as well as the construction of toilets and water supply facilities, an EU statement reads.
Health promotion activities will also be organised to ensure access to essential healthcare services. The most affected people will also receive cash grants to meet their basic needs.
The humanitarian aid will directly benefit 11,000 people whose houses have been destroyed or damaged in the wake of the earthquake.
The funding is a part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Approximately 30,000 people were affected when a powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit remote areas of Sudhurpaschim province on November 9. Six people were reported dead.
Followed by several aftershocks, the tremor left close to 1,000 homes destroyed while over 5,000 others were damaged. Most of the affected families were forced to live out in the open due to the extensive damage to their homes and the fear of aftershocks.
