Strasbourg, 11/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 11 June, the European Parliament urged the international community to redouble its efforts to meet the pressing need for funding of humanitarian aid for Nepal following the earthquakes in April and May of this year.
The United Nations says that a further $298.2 million is urgently needed. On 4 June, the UN humanitarian aid coordinator announced that the international financing of aid to Nepal remained insufficient and that the United Nations had received only $120 million of the $422 million promised. The European Commission has provided €6 million since the earthquakes and allocated early payment of €16.6 million from its development programme for Nepal.
In the joint resolution from all groups, which was overwhelmingly adopted (602 votes to 11, with 22 abstentions), MEPs urge the Government of Nepal to resolve the remaining problems with customs procedures for humanitarian supplies and to work with aid organisations to ensure that the aid can be delivered rapidly to where it is needed. Concerned at allegations of discrimination in the distribution of humanitarian aid, Parliament calls on the government to make sure that aid reaches those who need it, no matter their identity or where the aid comes from. The EU high representative should raise this matter at the highest possible political level in her dealings with Nepal, MEPs add.
Following the earthquakes, the EU civil protection mechanism was triggered. On behalf of the high representative, Latvian minister Zanda Kalnina Lukasevica said that the EU was planning to use this peace and stability instrument to support the delivery of aid to the most difficult to reach regions.
Parliament also calls on the international community to help the Nepalese government to save and restore the historic, religious and cultural heritage that has been damaged, to help get the country's health establishments and services working again and to continue to work with the Nepalese government on improving preparedness and resilience against natural disaster. MEPs stress that Nepal, as a post-conflict country, needs further domestic efforts and international support in its transition towards democracy, and they call on Nepalese political forces to work together. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)