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Finland increases support to Nepal earthquake victims

Utrikesministeriet
Publication date 5.5.2015 10.28
Press release 124/2015

Finland will grant an additional one million euros in humanitarian aid to help the earthquake victims in Nepal.

The aid will be channelled via the World Health Organization WHO (EUR 500,000) and the United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF (EUR 500,00). Finland's total support to the Nepal earthquake victims is more than EUR 3 million and it will be allocated from the humanitarian aid appropriations that make part of Finland's development cooperation funds.

According to preliminary estimates, the earthquake in Nepal affects the lives of up to eight million people. Some two million of them live in the worst destroyed areas. At the moment, the greatest need is for food supplies, health care support and clean water. It is equally important to ensure sanitation and hygiene and provide shelters. Support is directed to prevent the spread of contagious diseases and increases in mortality.

The approach of the monsoon season calls for rapid measures in Nepal. The country's infrastructure is badly destroyed and aid delivery faces great logistic challenges. Nepal is among the world's least developed countries and one of Finland's main development cooperation target countries. Finland has development cooperation projects in some of the worst affected areas.

Nepal's high earthquake risk has been acknowledged and the whole country, and especially the Kathmandu Valley, has invested in risk prevention and improved preparedness.

Last week, on 28 April, Finland granted two million euros to help the earthquake victims in Nepal. The aid was targeted at immediate humanitarian needs and channelled via Finnish organisations, Finnish Red Cross, Finn Church Aid and Save the Children organisation.

For more information, please contact: Anna Gebremedhin, Head of the Unit for Humanitarian Assistance, tel. +358 40 583 0149 and Leena Viljanen, Director of the Unit for South Asia, tel. +358 295 351 880.

 
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