KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 5
The Dr Manilal Bhoumik International Foundation of India and Batas Foundation of Nepal have announced a humanitarian partnership to provide long-term educational support to more than 100 children who lost their parents in the recent floods and natural disasters.
The partnership aims to support the children's higher education and prevent financial hardship caused by the disaster from forcing them to discontinue their studies, according to a joint statement issued on Thursday.
The two organisations said the initiative would go beyond immediate relief and focus on the long-term rehabilitation and self-reliance of children and families affected by the disasters.
The foundations said affected families continue to face challenges even after immediate rescue and relief efforts, including loss of homes, property and livelihoods, disruption of income and interruption of children's education.
The educational assistance will provide long-term support for eligible children, with the organisations describing it as an investment in restoring opportunities and confidence among disaster-affected children.
The Dr Manilal Bhoumik International Foundation works in areas including education, science and technology, healthcare, child and women's empowerment and disaster management. The Batas Foundation has programmes covering education, healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene, scholarships, disaster response and community empowerment.
The Batas Foundation is currently coordinating with various stakeholders to assess immediate relief, rehabilitation and longer-term support requirements in flood-affected communities.
The organisations said the partnership reflected the longstanding social ties and humanitarian cooperation between Nepal and India and emphasised the need for support beyond immediate disaster relief.