Cash For Earthquake Victims

£5 million rescue and relief aid boost for Nepal earthquake effort.

The International Secretary says the UK’s rescue and relief efforts in Nepal will be boosted with trauma medics, heavy lifting equipment to move aid supplies at Kathmandu airport, and humanitarian experts to help coordinate the international response.
 
The additional support brings to £15 million the total UK response to the Nepal earthquake. Today’s additional £5 million package includes: 

• a 30-strong Medical Team carrying eight tonnes of equipment including medical supplies and bandages, a generator and tents. They are funded by the Department for International Development and managed by Save the Children in partnership with the UK Med and Handicap International;
• airfield handling equipment including two forklift trucks. This will facilitate the swift movement of aid supplies off aircraft and help to ease congestion at Kathmandu airport; and
• agreement to fund humanitarian secondees to the World Food Programme, Unicef and UNFPA. These are experts in water, health and sanitation and will ensure support for the most vulnerable people affected by this disaster.

 International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “The UK is playing a leading role in response to the Nepal earthquake. 

“We are boosting the British humanitarian effort by deploying more medics to treat the injured and delivering supplies that will help get aid through, including heavy lifting equipment to ensure supplies at Kathmandu airport can reach those in need.”
 
The UK has already pledged £10 million to the relief operation which includes: 

• £3 million released under the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) so partners can address immediate needs on the ground;
• £2 million for the British Red Cross; and
• up to £5 million to match public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s earthquake appeal.