The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nepal, together with the government of Nepal, the UNICEF and the UN Women, launched a two-year, $2.68 million “Super II: Strengthening Urban Preparedness and Earthquake Response in Western part of Nepal” project, funded by the European Union (EU).

The project, under the overall coordination of UNDP, will build the resilience of over 500,000 people–including those from the marginalised communities, on earthquake preparedness and urban risks in Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces, as well as the three targeted towns–Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, and Birendranagar, said the UNDP in a press release on Monday.

“It is a priority for the European Union to continue being a part of the disaster preparedness and response activities in the western region of Nepal alongside UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women”, the release quoted Veronique LORENZO, European Union ambassador to Nepal, as saying. “These activities will bring together communities and the authorities and help strengthen their capacity to prepare for and respond to disasters.”

Kyoko Yokosuka, the UNDP resident representative in Nepal, said “As we go forward, and in the true spirit of leaving no one behind, we are committed to include the most at-risk and marginalised populations at the centre of urban/disaster preparedness interventions.”