“Nepal is unique and the recovery measures need to be more tailored to the topography, village structures and local needs,” Konoé said. “There are hundreds of micro-villages in remote areas with five to ten homes. The international community is here to support recovery but the communities themselves have to ensure that the needs of the most affected are met.”

As a keynote speaker at Thursday’s International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction, President Konoé emphasised that the support was urgently needed. “It is a long, hard road to recovery, and the global community must not forget about the people of Nepal,” he said. “The needs are significant and will only increase with the start of the monsoon season. Additional funding is vital.”

In addition to his participation in the conference, Konoé met with Prime Minister Sushil Koriala, diplomats and members of the media during his visit. He also visited a distribution site run by the Nepal Red Cross Society in Balaju. After the Great Earthquake, the Nepal Red Cross Society has deployed 7,900 volunteers from 57 district chapters across the country so far.

Konoé is scheduled to leave the country on Friday.