Save the Children, with support from European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Operations, has received 800 life-saving winter tents, which will be distributed to the earthquake-affected people of Jajarkot and Rukum West.

The tents were handed over to Save the Children by the EU Ambassador to Nepal Veronique Lorenzo at an event in Kathmandu.

“The EU is happy to extend this meaningful support of tents and other logistics that will be distributed to the earthquake victims in Jajarkot and Rukum West,” Ambassador Lorenzo said.

“The support that has come at an opportune time will help save the lives of the women, infants and the elderly in the two earthquake-hit areas.”

Since the earthquake, 32 people, including three children, have died due to extreme cold.

The tents are fire retardant and water- proof, equipped with stoves, provide a total living area of 23 square metres and are apt to resist harsh winter conditions. Those tents will be dispatched to the earthquake-hit areas in close coordination with the government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority.

The 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit on 3rd November has disproportionately impacted children, pregnant women, older people, and people with disabilities mainly in Jajarkot and Rukum West districts.

“The cold has resulted in the deaths of many, and there is an urgent need to ensure that people most marginalised and impacted are protected,” said Heather Campbell, coun try director of Save the Children in Nepal. “These winter tents supported by the EU will ensure temporary protection and shelter and help save lives.”

In addition to the material assistance, Save the Children will continue to work with local partners, in close coordination with the government, to respond to the most urgent needs of vulnerable communities affected by the earthquakes thanks to the €600,000 (865.5 million NPR) funding provided by EU humanitarian aid, Campbell said.