KATHMANDU, Aug 31: The United States and Australia have announced additional humanitarian assistance for Nepal following the devastating floods in the Nepal-China border area.
The US has pledged more than $3.6 million in assistance, while Australia has announced an additional AUD 3 million in aid. The US State Department said the assistance would provide life-saving humanitarian support to Nepalis affected by the floods.
As part of the US assistance, up to 10,000 flood-affected families will receive emergency food supplies sufficient for three months. The US embassies in Nepal and China have said they are coordinating relief efforts while also assisting US citizens in the affected areas.
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Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Minister for International Development Anne Aly jointly announced on August 30 that Australia would provide an additional AUD 3 million for flood relief and rehabilitation.
Of the additional assistance, AUD 2 million will be spent on emergency supplies, including hygiene kits, solar lights, and other humanitarian items. The supplies will be transported to Nepal by the Australian Defence Force, with the Royal Australian Air Force set to deliver the first batch from Queensland in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Australians have already donated AUD 1.4 million to the Emergency Action Alliance’s relief appeal. The Australian Government will add another AUD 1 million to the appeal. With the latest support, Australia’s total humanitarian assistance for the disaster in Nepal has reached AUD 8 million.
The Australian Government said contact had been lost with 42 Australian citizens following the floods. It said it was working continuously to determine their whereabouts and support their families.
Twelve Australian personnel, including crisis-management, consular, and police officials, have been deployed to Kathmandu. Australia has also said it remains in close coordination with the Nepali government and will provide further assistance as needed.
