MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
More than 37,000 families affected by severe flooding in Nepal will receive immediate assistance from Australia, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Bruce Billson, announced today.
'Australia will contribute $100,000 in emergency relief for food, water purification tablets, shelter and household equipment to help the 740,000 people affected by the disaster,' Mr Billson said.
'Heavy monsoon rains have left more than 185 people dead and 67,000 homes damaged and Australia is responding quickly to help those in need.
'Flooding has also destroyed schools, roads, bridges and health centres in a country ranked as one of the poorest in the world,' Mr Billson said.
'Funding, through the Australian Government's aid agency, AusAID, is being provided to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, working closely with the Nepal Red Cross Society to ensure assistance is effectively used to meet urgent needs.
'Although rains have now eased, further problems may occur in Nepal during the peak monsoon season in late August and September and Australia stands ready to provide further support.
'Australia is providing more than $6 million in development assistance to Nepal in 2004-05. This includes nutrition programs and helping people in poor remote areas to improve incomes through more sustainable forest and livestock management,' Mr Billson said.
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 02 6277 4879 or 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489