November 16: The European Union (EU) has approved €2 million aid package to bring relief to the people most affected by the Jajarkot earthquake on November 3 .

Issuing a statement on Thursday, the EU said that the aid will help provide shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, and health care, among other services.

The support package includes €600,000 to support the work of humanitarian partners already providing assistance in affected areas. In addition, €200,000 have been allocated to the Nepalese Red Cross Society, via the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), added the statement.

Complementing the financial contribution, the EU said it will mobilise in-kind assistance from its European Humanitarian Response Capacity (EHRC), worth €1.2 million.

“This will include tents and winterisation kits that will be sent from the EU’s stockpile in Kuala Lumpur, to address the crucial shelter needs of vulnerable families whose homes were destroyed.”

EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič reportedly said that the EU is ready to help those most in need as in previous disasters.

 “Nepalese people have once again been hit by a deadly earthquake. This new aid package will bring shelter to people that have lost their homes, so they can be prepared to face the upcoming winter, while helping with other pressing needs,” the statement quoted Lenarčič as saying.

According to the EU, this new funding comes in addition to the €2 million already allocated to Nepal at the start of this year, with the goal of responding to natural hazards and to strengthen disaster preparedness.

“Thanks to this programme, EU partners have been able to immediately assist in the response, supporting health and coordination at the provincial level,” reads the statement.

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