IRIA News

As the death toll tops 2,500, countries around the world extend ‘disaster diplomacy’ to save lives and enhance relations with the small Himalayan nation

Plane-loads of aid material, doctors and relief workers from neighboring as well as worldwide countries began arriving in Nepal as its airport in Kathmandu reopened on Sunday. The poor Himalayan nation is reeling from a powerful earthquake that killed more than 2,500 people and destroyed homes, infrastructure, homes and historical buildings.

Rescue and relief operations were interrupted on Sunday after a fresh tremor of 6.7-magnitude rocked Nepal.

People free a man from the rubble of a destroyed building
Photograph: Narendra Shrestha/EPA

China search & rescue team reaches Nepal

A 62-member China International Search & Rescue Team arrived in Nepal on midday Sunday for humanitarian rescue with six sniffer dogs and relevant rescue and medical equipment, according to the China Earthquake Administration.

Most of the rescue team members are experienced in earthquake rescue who had participated in domestic or international missions in a dozen of serious earthquakes, including the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Wenchuan in 2008 and those in Japan, Haiti and Pakistan, said Zhao Ming, chief of the team.

“We will try our best to assist with the Nepali government and save lives,” Zhao said.

“A friend in need is a friend indeed,” Mahesh Kumar Maskey, Nepali Ambassador to China said. “Nepali people will always remember the support and help from China.”

US sending disaster response team, $1 million in aid to Nepal

Washington has also moved fast, releasing $1 million in assistance on Saturday, and the European Union on Sunday announced 3 million euros in aid for Nepal. Individual EU countries are also mobilizing disaster-response teams.

“To the people in Nepal and the region affected by this tragedy we send our heartfelt sympathies,” Secretary of State John F. Kerry said in a statement. “The United States stands with you during this difficult time.”

Kerry says in a statement that USAID is preparing to deploy the disaster assistance response team and is activating an urban search and rescue team.

Pakistan sends relief goods for quake victims in Nepal

Pakistan has sent four planeloads, carrying rescue and relief assistance, including a 30-bed mobile hospital, to Nepal, hit by a devastating earthquake.

Pakistan’s C-130s which reached Kathmandu are carrying a medical team of doctors and paramedics, a 30-bed hospital, medicines, tents, water, dry food, and a search and rescue teams equipped with ground-penetrating radar.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday telephoned his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala and extended his condolences on the deadly earthquake. “The people and the government of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the people and the government of Nepal,” the premier was quoted as saying in an official handout.

Two other aircraft load with relief material will reach Kathmandu on April 27, it said.

India rushes 13 military aircraft with aid to quake-hit Nepal

India on Sunday dispatched 13 military aircraft to Nepal loaded with tonnes of food, blankets and other aid, stepping up relief efforts to its earthquake-devastated neighbour.

India’s Foreign secretary S. Jaishankar said the transport planes were carrying disaster management experts along with medical supplies and other relief material desperately needed in the wake of Saturday’s deadly quake.

India has rushed six more teams of the National Disaster Response Force to Nepal in addition to the 10 teams that have already been sent for quake relief. Four IAF MI 17 copters took off for rescue to Dhadind, Charikot, Chatauran and Gorkha on Sunday. In addition to the specialist teams of its National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), India has already moved large amounts of relief material to the Himalayan kingdom.

Global response to Nepal earthquake

The UK has given £5m to help people affected by the earthquake in Nepal while a UK search and rescue team would also be travelling to Nepal. The government said it had released £3m to address immediate needs and £2m would be given to the Red Cross.

The European Union said it is prepared to help in the international assistance effort.

Sri Lanka was also sending doctors, paramedics and medicine.