Nepal earthquake: the EU's emergency response
The European Union is showing tangible solidarity with Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit the country on 25 April. European experts, life-saving assets and funds are already making a difference in the crucial early days of the response. The EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides travelled to Nepal for three days with United Nations Under-Secretary-General Valerie Amos to appeal to the international community, assess the situation and make sure Europe's support continues to help efficiently where it's most needed.
Within the first 24 hours after the disaster struck, the European Commission had dispatched humanitarian experts to Nepal and mobilised € 3 millionto help address the most urgent needs: clean water, food, medicine, emergency shelter and telecommunications.
Following the joint EU-UN mission, an additional contribution of emergency aid has been made, bringing the total EU humanitarian aid to €6 million. This comes on top of bilateral assistance from EU Member States and additional EU development aid of €16.6 million. Thus, a European aid package of around €40 million.
The EU funding is helping as a priority the most vulnerable groups. The aid is channelled via humanitarian organisations operating on the ground. The Commission is also working closely with UNICEF by financing the transport of relief goods to the region.
The EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated immediately to coordinate the assistance offered by the Member States, such as rescue teams and material aid.
In the days following the disaster, the Commission has deployed more humanitarian aid and civil protection experts (including engineers) to the affected areas. They are working side by side with the Nepalese authorities and international partners on the ground to make sure that the EU assistance is plugged efficiently in the overall response and goes where it is most needed.
The Copernicus Emergency Management Service has been activated for the provision of satellite images/maps of the disaster area to support the rescue operations.
From the beginning, the Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been coordinating assistance to Nepal through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. It has also deployed an EU Civil Protection Team to facilitate the coordination of the in-coming assistance.
Aid from the Member States
Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as Norway, are participating in the joint European assistance effort so far.
The European Commission can co-finance the provision of aid from Member States via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.
Assistance offered through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
(as of 30 April 2015)**
Belgium
Medium Urban Search and Rescue team
Czech Republic
Advanced Medical Post
Denmark
1 operational coordination centre (OSOCC);
3 light base modules;
4 ICT modules
Estonia
Medium Urban Search and Rescue team
Finland
Medium Urban Search and Rescue team
France
Water Purification Module
150 tents
Germany
Water Purification Module
Greece
Medium Urban Search and Rescue team
Italy
Forward medical team
Advanced Medical Post*
Luxembourg***
3 Civil protection experts with rapid satellite kit
Netherlands
Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team
Norway
Medium Urban Search and Rescue team
Poland
Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team
Sweden
1 Operational coordination centre (TASK);
Heavy Urban Search and Rescue team
Slovakia*
10 tents, 14 field beds, 388 blankets, 200 sleeping bags
10 3kVa generators, 10 lighting sets,
dishes, 4 water tanks (800 l)
Advanced Medical Post
Spain
Water purification modules + Jerry Cans;
4x4 family tents all weather;
Tarpaulins; Kitchen Sets;
Blankets; Hygienic Kits, latrines;
United Kingdom
Urban Search and Rescue team
180 body bags
Forward Medical team
4 104 shelter kits
1 724 solar lanterns*
*Acceptance pending
** Some contributions not deployed as of yet
*** Provided bilaterally
Needs on the ground
The immediate needs include shelter, food, medical supplies, telecommunications equipment, clean water and sanitation.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, there will be an increased risk of mud and landslides during the summer monsoon rains. Thus, providing emergency shelter to hundreds of thousands of survivors will remain a key priority in the coming weeks.
Logistics are a major challenge for relief operations in the mountainous region, including the limited airport capacity. International donors are appealing to authorities to expedite customs clearance procedures, including simplified documentation and inspection.
MEMO/15/4910
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