KATHMANDU: Nearly Rs 50 billion in financial support has been pledged for the response to the Rasuwa floods even before the government formally appealed for international assistance.
According to the Ministry of Finance, foreign governments and development partners have pledged around Rs 34.25 billion. Domestic businesses, corporate groups, the public and Nepalis living abroad have contributed around Rs 7.5 billion in cash. Nepal has also received medicines, food, tents and other relief supplies from India and international organisations.
The World Bank has announced the largest package, worth around Rs 25 billion, through concessional lending and budget support. The UAE has pledged around Rs 1.53 billion, the UK Rs 1.04 billion and the US around Rs 550 million.
The United Nations has pledged around Rs 490 million, South Korea Rs 150 million, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around Rs 190 million, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Rs 760 million in emergency assistance.
Despite the scale of support, rescue and relief operations remain challenging. Business leaders have raised concerns over delays in technical rescue operations, particularly at hydropower projects where people are reportedly trapped inside tunnels.
The government is currently financing rescue and relief operations through its regular budget. It plans to formally seek reconstruction assistance after completing a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and determining the scale of damage and recovery needs.
The domestic private sector has also provided significant support. IME Group and Global IME Bank, Nabil Bank and Chaudhary Group, and Surya Nepal have each pledged Rs 150 million. Gorkha Brewery has contributed Rs 100 million and Syamxim Inc, the Nepal partner of BYD, Rs 70 million.
A representative of one major business group said the scale of the disaster was beyond what the government could handle alone and that the private sector was ready to provide further support. However, he criticised the government for weak coordination in search and rescue and relief distribution.
The Ministry of Finance said Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and his team have been coordinating continuously with development partners. Wagle visited affected areas on Saturday and pledged that a lack of financial resources would not hinder rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
