India, China and World Bank Move Quickly to Support Nepal’s Flood Rescue and Reconstruction Efforts
Dragon Media Correspondent
India, China and the World Bank have moved quickly to coordinate emergency assistance with Nepal for rescue, relief and reconstruction following the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system.
The World Bank has indicated that up to Rs 25 billion could be mobilized from various available sources as emergency support, while India has already delivered its first consignment of humanitarian assistance to Kathmandu. China has also begun coordinating with the Government of Nepal to provide immediate financial assistance.
Shortly after news of the disaster emerged on Wednesday, World Bank Country Director for Nepal David Sislen contacted Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle at around 10:35 a.m. and informed him that emergency support of up to Rs 25 billion could potentially be mobilized through different World Bank financing sources.
The precise form, conditions and mechanism through which the assistance would be mobilized have yet to be finalized. Discussions are continuing between the government and the World Bank on possible financial mechanisms for emergency relief, restoration of damaged infrastructure and longer-term reconstruction.
India, meanwhile, asked the Government of Nepal to provide a list of relief materials urgently required by flood-affected communities.
Following coordination among Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Finance Minister Wagle, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and other senior officials, India dispatched its first humanitarian consignment to Kathmandu on Wednesday night aboard an Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.
The aircraft delivered around 10 tonnes of humanitarian and disaster-relief materials, including essential medicines and other emergency supplies for affected communities.
China has also expressed its readiness to provide immediate financial assistance. Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chang Maoming has requested the Government of Nepal, through the Finance Minister, to initiate the necessary procedures for transferring the assistance.
The amount of China’s direct financial contribution has not yet been publicly announced.
China has already activated a high-level emergency response following the disaster, which also severely affected the border region. President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang have instructed authorities to mobilize all available resources for rescue and relief while strengthening communication and coordination with Nepal.
The Government of Nepal has expressed appreciation for the assistance commitments from India, China and international development partners.
Finance Minister Wagle is coordinating with the concerned governments and institutions to determine the appropriate modalities for mobilizing and utilizing the assistance effectively.
The Cabinet has also declared affected local levels in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading as disaster crisis zones for three months, creating a broader formal framework for mobilizing both domestic and international resources for rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
The floods have caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, electricity systems, telecommunications, hydropower projects, customs infrastructure, commercial facilities and settlements, in addition to the heavy human toll.
While the immediate priority remains search and rescue, medical treatment and relief, the next phase will require a comprehensive damage assessment and significant financial resources for recovery and reconstruction.
The possibility of mobilizing up to Rs 25 billion through the World Bank, together with immediate assistance from India and China, could provide an important foundation for Nepal’s transition from emergency response to long-term recovery and reconstruction.
