The international community's response to devastating earthquakes in Nepal has been disappointing, a United Nations official said on Monday, adding that donors were focusing more on reconstruction than much-needed aid such as food and shelter.
The impoverished Himalayan nation is reeling from a 7.8 magnitude quake which struck on April 25th, disrupting the lives of almost a third of the population of 28 million. A second quake of 7.3 magnitude struck on May 12th, worsening the situation and further hampering efforts to get aid to survivors in remote regions. More than 8,600 people have died.
The UN appealed for $423 million (€385 million) to provide survivors with basic relief, such as tents or tarpaulin sheets, dry-food rations, drinking water and toilets for three months. As of yesterday, the UN financial tracking system showed $92.4 million had been raised. – (Reuters)