अस्ट्रेलिया सरकारले नेपालको भूकम्पपीडितका लागि करिब रु एक अर्ब९दश मिलियन अमेरिकी डलर० सहयोग प्याकेज घोषणा गरेको छ । सो सहयोग अति आवश्यक भएका प्रभावित जनतालाई खाद्य सुरक्षा, स्वास्थ्य, आश्रय, पानी र सरसफाइमा प्रयोग हुनेछ । सो सहयोग गोरखा जिल्लास्थित दूतावासको साझेदार संस्था केयर नेपालमार्फत खर्च हुनेछ । नेपालका लागि अस्ट्रेलियाली राजदूत ग्लेन ह्वाइटले जारी गरेको विज्ञप्तिमा नेपालसँगको मैत्रीपूर्ण सम्बन्धलाई कायम राख्दै यहाँको संकटको समयमा राहत तथा पुनःस्थापनाका काममा सहयोग गर्न सो सहयोग दिने जनाइएको छ । सो मुलुकका विदेश मामिला मन्त्री जुली बिसपले सो सहयोग घोषणा गर्नुभएको विज्ञप्तिमा जनाइएको छ ।

Press Release –

Australia condoles loss of lives and property in the earthquake

The thoughts and sympathy of all Australians are with the people of Nepal as they confront the tragic consequences of the 25 April earthquake. The impact has been widespread and devastating not only in terms of the thousands of lives lost, but also the economic and social impact on communities and villages across Nepal.

Today, over a week later, a huge recovery effort is underway. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of local authorities. I’ve also been deeply impressed by the resilience and positive outlook demonstrated by the people of Nepal. Since the earthquake struck, Nepalese have stood shoulder to shoulder to search for survivors, attend to the injured, remove debris, and repair the damage to their homes and communities.

Australia stands by its close friends in difficult times. That’s why Australia’s Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, has announced a substantial $10 million package of assistance for Nepal in response to the earthquake. Australia’s support will help to provide much needed assistance in the areas of food security, health, shelter, water and sanitation. It includes:

• $4.5 million to United Nations partners, including $1 million to the World Health Organisation to procure urgently needed medical supplies and equipment;

• $4 million to Australian NGO partners with a long-standing presence in Nepal through the Humanitarian Partnership Agreement, to provide access to safe water and sanitation for 30,000 people, emergency shelter needs for over 40,000 people and protection programs to target the needs of 20,000 women and children across Nepal;

• $1 million to support the Australian Red Cross to provide critical first aid to the injured, ensure urgent blood supplies are made available to medical facilities and distribute lifesaving relief supplies;

• $500,000 to support RedR Australia to deploy Australian humanitarian experts to support United Nations operations;

• $50,000 to the Sexual Reproductive Health Program in Crisis and Post-Crisis Centre program (SPRINT) for the rapid provision of maternal and child health support, and protection support for women and girls;

• DFAT crisis response personnel deployed to assist with humanitarian coordination and assessments;
• A DFAT disaster expert to join the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team;

On Thursday 30 April, two Australian Defence Force (ADF) C17s landed in Kathmandu with 15 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies to assist up to 5,000 people, including much-needed water purification and hygiene kits, tarpaulins and blankets.

This aid is currently being distributed by one of our trusted NGO partners, CARE Nepal, to affected communities in the Gorkha District.

As a good friend, Australia stands beside Nepal as it continues down the long path of recovery and reconstruction.

Thank you, Dhanyabad.

Glenn White

Australian Ambassador to Nepal