Month: May 2015

Fast-tracked funding released for charities on the ground in Nepal

Last Saturday, 25 April, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck an area between Kathmandu and Pokhara, Nepal. The government of Nepal has requested international assistance and the UK government is responding. Thousands are in need of shelter, water and food and we are working to ensure survivors get the help they need.

Following activation of the UK’s Rapid Response Facility (RRF) on Sunday 26 April, International Development Secretary Justine Greening yesterday announced six trusted NGOs and charities who will deliver life-saving aid to those affected by the earthquake in Nepal.

The selected organisations, which include some of Britain’s best-known charities, will share £3 million funding as part of Britain’s response to the crisis in Nepal. They are: Save the Children, Mercy Corps Scotland, Care International UK, ActionAid, Oxfam and Handicap International.

UK funding via the RRF will help to provide:

more than 40,000 people with dignified temporary shelter and access to life-saving emergency supplies;
more than 20,000 people with access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene information to better manage public health risks;
40,000 of the most vulnerable people with protection from all forms of violence and exploitation through emergency cash assistance; and
more than 2,500 people with severe injuries with physical rehabilitation activities.

Justine Greening said: “Providing pre-approved charities already working on the ground with fast-tracked funding is one of the best ways of getting help to people affected by the earthquake.

“With this funding, our trusted partners will get emergency shelter, medical support and clean water to thousands of people who were caught up in this disaster. By creating safe spaces they will offer protection to many vulnerable women and children who have lost their homes and could be at risk of violence.”

Summary of UK humanitarian response

The UK has released a £17.5 million package of emergency aid. This includes:

• more than 60 search and rescue responders and medical experts to support the relief effort in Nepal
• a 30-strong medical team carrying 8 tonnes of equipment including medical supplies and bandages, a generator and tents
• an 8-strong team of British disaster and rescue experts to help assess and coordinate the international effort
• £3 million released under the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) so partners can address immediate needs on the ground and £2 million for the British Red Cross
• an RAF C-17 aircraft carrying more than 1,100 shelter kits and over 1,700 solar lanterns, along with a team of Gurkha engineers
• airfield handling equipment including 2 forklift trucks to facilitate the swift movement of aid supplies off aircraft and help to ease congestion at Kathmandu airport
• 3 Royal Air Force CH47 Chinook aircraft and £2.5 million funding for additional UN helicopters
• support for 6 charities (Save the Children, Mercy Corps Scotland, Care International UK, ActionAid, Oxfam and Handicap International) to deliver life-saving aid
• an agreement to fund humanitarian secondees to the World Food Programme, Unicef and UNFPA – experts in water, health and sanitation who will ensure support for the most vulnerable people affected by this disaster
• matching the first £5m of public donations to the DEC appeal
• Gurkhas already providing informal assistance to around 200 nationals at their base through first aid and logistical support. They are also able to provide language assistance to search and rescue teams as they speak both English and Nepali.