The UK government has provided GBP 13 million (equivalent to Rs two billion 181 million) for the recovery of the earthquake affected municipalities in Western Nepal.
The assistance was granted under the Joint Recovery Action Plan (JRAP) for the Western Nepal Earthquake in February 2024 by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and the Humanitarian Country Team, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), it is stated in a press note.
“The Joint Recovery Action Plan was developed to respond the needs of the disaster-affected communities and to build resilience,” said Hanaa Singer Hamdy, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nepal. She thanked the UK for their support through a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) to advance a coherent and joint approach across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in Nepal and help the realization of the UN Reform at the country level.
The support will be given through a joint programme of IOM, UNFPA, UNICEF, and WFP under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) to ensure effective and close coordination among the various components of the project. It is reported that funding will address the water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition, protection, shelter, and food security needs of approximately 50 thousand earthquake-affected people in western Nepal.
Integral to the implementation of these initiatives is a strong commitment to accountability to the affected population (AAP), ensuring that resources are utilized judiciously to maximize benefits for the earthquake-affected communities in Jajarkot, Rukum West and Salyan districts.
“This new £13m commitment builds on the immediate support the UK provided of £0.5m for immediate humanitarian relief after the earthquake,” said Pippa Bird, Development Director at the British Embassy Kathmandu. On November 3, 2023, Nepal’s deadliest earthquake since April 2015 struck Jajarkot, West Rukum and adjoining districts in Karnali Province.
The 6.4 magnitude earthquake, which was followed by over 300 aftershocks of more than 4.0 magnitude, killed 154 (84 females and 70 males, including 81 children), injured 366, and displaced tens of thousands of people, forcing many to sleep outside in freezing overnight temperatures for fear of aftershocks.
On the occasion, NDRRMA Chief Executive Anil Pokhrel said, “FCDO has been consistently supporting the Government of Nepal’s Humanitarian Response including reconstruction and recovery. The NDRRMA welcomes the additional financial contribution from FCDO which will help address the critical needs of the earthquake-affected municipalities in Karnali Province.”
