India to give UN $15.82m for Nepal quake reconstruction

Kathmandu [Nepal] March 8 (ANI): India on Thursday pledged 15.82 million dollars in assistance to quake-ravaged Nepal for its massive reconstruction programme.

New Delhi signed an agreement in this regard with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to build 50000 homes for the quake victims.

As per the agreement, the Indian Government will give 8.41 million US dollars to the UNOPS and 7.41 Million US dollar to the UNDP.

Sanjay Mathur, Regional Director, UNOPS, said, "It is significant that the Indian Government has decided to partner with the United Nations in this effort between UNOPS and UNDP. We have covered every district affected by the earthquake. We have strong partnerships and have strong relation with local governments and communities. The close collaboration with the Government of India, Government of Nepal, Provincial and Local Government and with our UNDP partners is an essential part of this programme."

As per the agreement, the UNDP will build 26, 912 homes in Gorkha and 23,088 homes in Nuwakot districts of Nepal.

Yuvraj Bhusal, CEO of Nepal's Reconstruction Authority, said, "The Government of India is the largest donor in this regard. We are very grateful to the Government of India and people of India for extending support to the cause of Nepal, and particularly for the earthquake victims."

Manjeev Singh Puri, the Indian Ambassador to Nepal, said that the God, nature and our forefathers have bound India and Nepal together.

"We must do what we can do for each other, and your (Nepal's) prosperity is a gain for India. We are very proud of this partnership, " said Puri.

The earthquake of 2015's April created havoc in Nepal, which claimed the lives of about 10,000 people and left 22,300 injured.

Gorkha and the Nuwakot were the districts which had the highest tolls and were enlisted as the "Crisis-hit" 14 districts. (ANI)