One year on UK Aid at work to rebuild Nepal

This week marks one year since the devastating earthquakes in Nepal. The UK has enjoyed a two hundred year friendship with Nepal, most notably through the various Gurkha regiments who continue to fight bravely as part of the British army.

Commenting on the anniversary Chloe said:

“We were all moved by the terrible scenes witnessed last spring. As ever the generosity of the British people in responding to Nepal’s request for help was inspiring. £87 million was donated by the British public, topped up by a further £70 million in UK Aid.  The practice of matching public donation is a good way to ensure our international aid budget is spent in a manner the public support.”

Over 8,000 people lost their lives when a 7.8 magnitude quake hit Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. The quake was followed by 120 aftershocks. A second major earthquake hit the east of the country a month later, killing a further 2,000. In all over 22,000 were injured and 800,000 homes destroyed.

Chloe said:

“One year on and UK Aid has provided shelter for over 250,000 people, supported 36 displacement camps and cleared more than 23,000 cubic metres of rubble. Many of the homes which were destroyed though are yet to be rebuilt. On behalf of all those who supported the appeal, I am asking Ministers to provide an update on how UK Aid is being used to support a long term reconstruction. We have to ensure that we maintain a level of involvement beyond the period in which a disaster is in the headlines. Without this, real progress is not possible, and the money spent by British taxpayers and donors will be wasted.”