AUSTRALIA’s international aid agencies have welcomed the Federal Government’s swift commitment of $4 million in emergency relief funds for their operations in Nepal following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake which hit on April 25.
The $4 million will support six Australian aid agencies who have entered into the Humanitarian Partnership Agreement with DFAT and have well-established operations in Nepal and can rapidly scale-up their emergency response activities. The Australian agencies are: World Vision CARE, Caritas, Oxfam, Plan International Australia and Save the Children.
The Federal Government’s rapid commitment of funding just days after the earthquake has allowed the agencies to move forward with greater certainty about how to finance their relief operations in Nepal.
“We are on the ground and already operating so this means we can now keep going, knowing we have some funding certainty,” the agencies who mostly rely on donations from the general public in addition to grants, to fund their operations, said in a joint statement.
The funds will be used by the agencies for distribution of emergency shelter, blankets, sleeping mats, hygiene kits and kitchen sets given that thousands of people have lost their homes and many of their possessions.
The agencies will also be implementing water and sanitation relief work to mitigate the risks of infection and disease outbreaks.
In light of critical child protection needs, agencies will set up safe spaces for children to play, learn and receive other forms of support.
Source: World Vision Australia
Image: “It has been so cold in the night – now I will sleep with this blanket!” says Pukar, whose family has been left homeless by the Nepal Earthquake. (Credit: World Vision Australia)
