The French embassy in Kathmandu on Tuesday handed over an aid consignment to Nepalese authorities to bolster immediate relief and recovery operations following the devastating August 26 flash floods that killed nearly 1,400 people.
“The Embassy of France in Nepal has officially handed over a consignment of in-kind emergency humanitarian aid to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) to bolster immediate relief and recovery operations following the devastating Bhotekoshi floods,” a press release issued by the French Embassy in Kathmandu on Tuesday said.
The French aid-in-kind consignment includes: floor mats, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, water purification tablets, solar lamps and medical kits.
“These materials were supplied based on the requests by the Government of Nepal through the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism,” it said.
French Ambassador-designate, Francoise Puig-Inza, handed over the consignment to the Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahabir Pun.
“In the wake of this tragic disaster, France stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Nepal. This emergency assistance, as well as the future ones reflect our commitment and that of the European Union to supporting local authorities in their immediate relief efforts and helping the most vulnerable communities recover and rebuild,” Puig-Inza said.According to the embassy, the French Government will also be contributing to the international assistance for all the people in need in the affected areas via the United Nation agencies, the International Federation of the Red Cross and French INGOs — Action Contre la Faim and Triangle Generation Humanitaire — already deployed in the field.
Flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal, killing around 1,400 people, while more than 5,000 remain missing.
The Bhotekoshi River, which flows south from the Himalayan border region, carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects
