UNHCR rushes supplies to Nepal earthquake survivors

The UN refugee agency joins the government and people of Nepal in mourning the victims of the devastating earthquake on 25 April. UNHCR is ready to provide any assistance needed to help survivors through these difficult times.

"We are deeply saddened that thousands of people have been killed, injured or displaced in the disaster. These numbers are still rising with frequent aftershocks and as search and rescue teams reach remote areas," said Daisy Dell, UNHCR's Director of the Asia-Pacific bureau. "UNHCR stands in solidarity with Nepal, which has been a generous host to thousands of refugees over the years."

UNHCR assistance falls under the overall UN coordinated response to help earthquake survivors in Nepal.

On Monday (today) UNHCR is sending 11,000 plastic sheets and 4,000 solar lanterns from its warehouse in Damak, eastern Nepal, to the eastern hilly districts of Ramechhap, Okhaldhunga and Sindhuli as requested by the authorities. Later on Monday afternoon, an additional 8000 plastic sheets and 4000 solar lamps are being flown to Kathmandu from Dubai thanks to a cargo plane donated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of the United Arab Emirates.

UNHCR will be providing tarpaulins which will help provide shelter to earthquake victims whose homes have been destroyed or who are too afraid of aftershocks to return home. In view of the electricity shortage, UNHCR hopes that the solar lamps can provide some light in the affected areas and help to charge mobile phones at a time when families need to communicate urgently.

UNHCR has been working with the Nepali government since the early 1960s to care for refugees from the region and beyond. There are currently more than 21,000 refugees from Bhutan in two camps in eastern Nepal, and some 650 refugees and asylum-seekers in and around Kathmandu.

For more information on this topic,

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