KATHMANDU: India, China and the World Bank have stepped up coordination to provide immediate financial and material assistance for rescue, relief and reconstruction efforts in Nepal’s flood-affected areas.
World Bank Country Director for Nepal David Sislen contacted Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle at 10:35 am after reports of the disaster emerged and said the World Bank could mobilise up to Rs 25 billion in emergency assistance from various sources.
India has also asked the Nepal government to provide a list of relief materials urgently required for flood victims.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said preparations were underway to bring relief supplies from India to Kathmandu on Wednesday, in coordination with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and other senior officials.
Meanwhile, China has expressed readiness to provide immediate cash assistance to Nepal. Chinese Ambassador Zhang Maoming has urged the government, through the Finance Minister, to initiate the process for transferring the funds.
Finance Minister Wagle thanked the neighbouring countries and development partners for their commitments and said the government was holding discussions on the mechanism for coordinating and utilising the assistance.
The Cabinet meeting on Wednesday declared affected local levels in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading as disaster crisis-hit areas, paving the way for mobilising domestic and international support.
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