Duncan returns home promising 2 bln aid

KATHMANDU – The UK Department for International Development on Thursday pledged to provide up to Rs 2 billion over four years for earthquake preparedness, visiting British Minister of State for International Development, Alan Duncan announced before wrapping up his three-day formal visit to Nepal today.


Duncan who had arrived Nepal on Tuesday left for the UK today.


Issuing a press statement the British Embassy, Kathmandu has stated that the UK’s new disaster preparedness programme will strengthen Nepal government’s disaster risk management policy and support improved building code compliance.


It would scale up community-based activities to build the resilience of 4 million people to earthquakes and other disasters and would construct at least 162 schools damaged in the earthquake in September 2011 and develop a national plan to improve the seismic safety of hospitals.


During his visit to Nepal, Duncan met with President Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai, top leaders of major political parties and ministers separately and held discussions about Nepal’s political situation and areas of economic assistance to Nepal by the UK Government. RSS