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<p>(a) <strong>Rebuilding:</strong> DFID’s response to the devastating earthquake
now stands at £70 million following further commitments made at the International
Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction, making us one of the largest donors. DFID is
working closely alongside the Government of Nepal but not directly funding it, rather
collaborating with trusted UN and NGO partners to deliver on the humanitarian response
both via direct in-kind assistance as well as supporting activities that contribute
to an enabling environment for an effective and responsive humanitarian support. We
welcome the adoption of the National Reconstruction Authority Bill and formation of
the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA). We will support the Government’s reconstruction
vision by funding community infrastructure and social protection but not through direct
financial aid. We plan to provide technical assistance and advisory support to the
NRA.</p><p>(b) <strong>Supply of food:</strong> We do not work directly with the Government
on this but are supporting local government by providing immediate assistance to the
most vulnerable households via in kind distributions (tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses,
clothes, shelter insulation, solar lamps and cook stoves). We are funding activities
that contribute to an enabling environment for an effective and responsive humanitarian
support. This includes funding assessments, coordination and logistics. For example
DFID supported the World Food Programme’s (WFP) cash and food assistance operations
in the aftermath of the earthquake. This planned to reach 1.4 million people in urgent
need of assistance within the first three months of the earthquake, including distribution
of rice and high-energy biscuits to prevent starvation and provide supplementary nutrition
to the most vulnerable.</p><p>(c) <strong>Energy supply:</strong> DFID has committed
£5 million to support delivery of renewable energy technologies to earthquake affected
communities. The support includes delivery of solar home systems, mobile phone charging
stations and repair of mini-hydropower plants that were damaged by the earthquake.
The support is being delivered through Nepal’s Alternative Energy Promotion Centre,
a semi-autonomous agency under the Ministry of Population and Environment.</p>
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