KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 6

In response to the strong earthquake that struck western Nepal in early November, the European Union is providing over Rs 27 million in humanitarian funding to assist the most affected families.

The EU stated in it press release that the humanitarian aid will directly benefit 11,000 people whose houses were destroyed or damaged in the wake of the earthquake.

This EU funding supports Nepal Red Cross Society in delivering much needed assistance, including the provision of shelter materials, such as tarpaulin, blankets and mattresses, as well as the construction of latrines and water supply facilities. Health promotion activities will be organised to ensure access to essential health care services. The most affected people will also receive cash grants to meet their basic needs. The funding is part of the EU's overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the wake of the earthquake.

Approximately 30,000 people were affected when a powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit the remote areas of Nepal's Sudurpaschim Province on 9 November.

Followed by several aftershocks, the tremor left close to 1,000 homes destroyed while over 5,000 others were damaged.

A version of this article appears in the print on December 7, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.