Finland to grant humanitarian assistance to Nepal

The recent flash flood has ravaged northern Nepal, causing a humanitarian crisis across a vast area. Finland will grant EUR 1 million in humanitarian assistance to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to alleviate the humanitarian needs created by the flooding in Nepal. The funding to the IFRC will be channelled through the Finnish Red Cross.

With Finland’s support, the IFRC will assist people who have lost their homes and been evacuated from flood-affected areas, paying particular attention to women, girls and persons with disabilities.

“The flash flooding has caused massive damage to Nepal's population and infrastructure. Finnish assistance will help to provide healthcare services and support, drinking water, hygiene and sanitation supplies and temporary shelter for those who have lost their homes in areas affected by the disaster,” says Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio.

Owing to its location and topography, Nepal is prone to many kinds of unpredictable natural disasters, with floods being frequent in the monsoon season. However, this recent flash flood was exceptionally destructive. It is believed to have originated from the Himalayas when a mass of ice and rock became detached and crashed into the water system, registering as a magnitude 5.2 seismic event. Search and rescue operations continue on both sides of the border in Nepal and China, and thousands of people are still missing.

Finland is also supporting the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Resources from these funds have been allocated to address the humanitarian crisis caused by Nepal's flash floods. In addition, funds allocated to UN Women and UNICEF will be redirected within the existing programme support. Several Finnish civil society organisations have ongoing development cooperation projects in Nepal that receive support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.