Valley
UK concerned over delay in reconstruction
British Minister of State for International Development Desmond Swayne has expressed concern over the delay in supply and distribution of humanitarian goods to the victims of the April 25 earthquakeBritish Minister of State for International Development Desmond Swayne has expressed concern over the delay in supply and distribution of humanitarian goods to the victims of the April 25 earthquake and in reconstruction works.
The UK has announced £70m of support to the Nepal earthquake response, targeted at the 14 most affected districts. Of that, £33m has been spent for immediate life saving humanitarian assistance, creating an enabling environment for delivery of rapid humanitarian response and early recovery support to transition from relief, recovery to reconstruction. And £10m has been spent on delivering health support, and further financial commitments have been made to support early recovery activities.
The UK Government humanitarian programme is implemented by the Department for International Development (DFID) Nepal.
“I was privileged to visit Nepal in August when I witnessed the devastation and destruction first hand,” Minister Swayne said in a statement on Tuesday. “The British public has also generously donated more than £83 million in humanitarian assistance through the Disaster Emergency Committee appeal. This shows the strength of the bond between our two nations.”
With winter closing in, Swayne has urged the authorities to act swiftly to avoid a second humanitarian crisis.
“I am increasingly concerned that the humanitarian crisis in Nepal is not over. Much needed humanitarian supplies are yet to reach many people still living in temporary shelter,” he said, expressing concern over the delay in establishing National Authority for Reconstruction.
“I hope that current efforts to resolve difficulties affecting the supply and distribution of humanitarian goods can be resolved as quickly as possible,” he said, calling on the Government of Nepal “to formally establish the National Authority for Reconstruction”.