Nepal appeals to international community for $1.8bn financial assistance

The Nepali government has appealed the international community for assistance of 1.8 billion U.S. dollars for the rehabilitation and reconstruction process to recover from the massive earthquake.

Addressing the press meet in the capital on Sunday evening, Prime Minister Sushil Koirala urged the international community and donor agencies to contribute 1.8 billion dollars in the " National Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Fund".

"National Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Fund has already been set-up with the contribution of 200 million dollars by the government of Nepal for the long-term reconstruction process", Koirala informed.

The prime minister's financial appeal comes at a time when the massive quake has already taken the lives of more than 9,000 people injuring 20,000 and leaving a deep impact on national economy.

"The disaster has made an enormous damage to national economy and social structures and it's very difficult to tackle the reconstruction challenges", Koirala said.

Koirala also expressed gratitude to the international community, especially neighboring India and China along with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation members for providing immediate and necessary humanitarian assistance to the Himalayan nation.

Furthermore, the government head also stressed on the need of unity among all the political parties in this national crisis period.

Regarding the immediate challenges, Koirala informed that the fragile building structures amid continuous aftershocks and limited number of helicopters have been the major obstacles in the rescue process.

Meanwhile, Koirala also expressed condolences to the bereaved families of six U.S. marines and two soldiers, who died in the helicopter crash while delivering humanitarian assistance in worst- hit Dolakha district.