Kathmandu, August 26
India, China and the World Bank have moved to coordinate immediate financial and humanitarian assistance for flood-affected Nepal, as rescue and relief operations continue in Rasuwa and downstream districts.
Soon after reports of the disaster emerged, World Bank Country Director for Nepal David Sislen contacted Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle at around 10:35 a.m. and informed him that up to Rs 25 billion in emergency assistance could be mobilised from various sources.
India has asked the Nepal government to provide a list of relief materials urgently needed for flood victims so that assistance can be sent accordingly.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said preparations were underway to bring Indian relief supplies to Kathmandu on Wednesday itself, following coordination with Prime Minister Balen Shah, Finance Minister Wagle and other senior ministers.
China has also offered immediate cash assistance to Nepal. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming has asked the government, through the Finance Ministry, to initiate the process for transferring the funds.
The government has expressed gratitude for the support offered by Nepal’s neighbours and development partners. Finance Minister Wagle is coordinating with the relevant governments and agencies to determine the mechanism for receiving and deploying the assistance.
The Cabinet on Wednesday declared affected local units in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading as disaster crisis-hit areas, opening the way for the mobilisation of domestic and international assistance.
