France sends emergency aid to Nepal after deadly Bhotekoshi floods

The French embassy in Kathmandu on Tuesday handed over an aid consignment to Nepalese authorities to support immediate relief and recovery work after the August 26 flash floods that killed nearly 1,400 people. The embassy said the emergency humanitarian assistance was meant to help response efforts after the devastating Bhotekoshi floods.

In a press release, the embassy said, "The Embassy of France in Nepal has officially handed over a consignment of in-kind emergency humanitarian aid to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) to bolster immediate relief and recovery operations following the devastating Bhotekoshi floods." It said the consignment included floor mats, hygiene kits, kitchen kits, water purification tablets, solar lamps and medical kits.

The embassy said these materials were supplied at the request of the Government of Nepal through the European Union's Civil Protection Mechanism. French Ambassador-designate Franoise Puig-Inza handed over the consignment to Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Mahabir Pun.

Puig-Inza said, "In the wake of this tragic disaster, France stands in solidarity with the people and Government of Nepal. This emergency assistance, as well as the future ones reflect our commitment and that of the European Union to supporting local authorities in their immediate relief efforts and helping the most vulnerable communities recover and rebuild." According to the embassy, the French government will also contribute to international assistance for people in need in the affected areas through United Nation agencies, the International Federation of the Red Cross, and French INGOs Action Contre la Faim and Triangle Gnration Humanitaire, which are already deployed in the field.

The flash floods were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border and devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal. Around 1,400 people were killed and more than 5,000 remain missing. The Bhotekoshi River carried the floodwaters downstream, sweeping away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, and damaging hydropower projects.

The aid handover adds to relief efforts underway in Nepal as authorities respond to the destruction caused by the Bhotekoshi floods and support affected communities.