Kathmandu, November 3

The UK’s Department for International Development today announced its second phase of humanitarian assistance of £10m to continue providing critical humanitarian support to vulnerable populations across the districts.

DFID had allocated a package totaling £70m recently after the earthquake on April 25 and May 12 for critical life-saving needs across the 14 most affected districts.

A press statement issued here today by the British Embassy in Kathmandu said second phase funding will support over 200,000 people receive winterized items, such as urgently needed blankets, mattresses and winter clothes, as well as ensuring critical logistical operations continue to reach highly remote and road-inaccessible locations as winter approaches.

It said that the UK is also supporting early recovery activities that will ensure effective transition from relief to reconstruction, including the removal of debris from at least 1,300 building sites and the demolition/clearance of 100 public buildings, enabling communities to begin rebuilding.

According to the statement, DFID is also supporting activities in 57 displacement camps across 7 earthquake-affected districts, including coordination and urgently needed site improvements such as sanitation, health and protection measures. Over 51,000 people will benefit from these increased camp services, with at least 8,000 internally displaced people receiving bespoke psychosocial support.

DFID Nepal stands ready to support the reconstruction phase of the earthquake and is deeply concerned over the delays in the establishment of the National Authority for Reconstruction the key institution to accelerate reconstruction and help Nepal build back better, it said.

“The approaching winter is a particular concern in this mountainous country,” statement said adding, “The UN estimates that over 81,000 families require support to keep warm as they live above 1,500m and do not have permanent housing thus blankets, clothes and basic insulation for temporary shelters are urgently needed.”

It further said DFID is doing its best to ensure supply of humanitarian winter goods to Nepal.

“Though the monsoon season has passed, winter now approaches across Nepal and many remain homeless,” it said, adding, “The current fuel crisis is compounding the already challenging logistical situation as well as affecting critical activities such as planting and harvests, crucial to helping people recover their livelihoods.”

The statement claimed that 528,000 people across the earthquake affected area have fallen into food insecurity since the earthquake and 58,000 remain under tarpaulins in 120 displaced camps across the affected areas, while more than 370,000 families still remain without appropriate temporary shelter.