New Delhi: India is likely to announce a major financial assistance for earthquake-battered Nepal during External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's two-day visit beginning on Wednesday. Swaraj will visit Nepal primarily to participate at an international donors' conclave on Friday, which is aimed at raising funds for reconstruction of the Himalayan nation.
The External Affairs Minister is expected to make an announcement at the conclave about India's assistance in rebuilding the country devastated in the massive earthquake of April 25 and a series of powerful aftershocks, which claimed over 8,000 lives.
Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala had earlier this month called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi to invite him for the conclave. However, Modi decided to nominate Swaraj for the International Conference on Nepal's Reconstruction (ICNR). Ahead of the meet, the Nepalese Prime Minister said there has been a "big gap" between what Nepal was able to do and what needs to be done.
"Our resources alone are not enough to meet the unforeseen and pressing challenges. Combined efforts with international community are needed to adequately respond to the task of recovery and reconstruction of Himalayan scale in an integrated manner," he said.
A report on post-disaster needs assessment will be presented at the conclave specifying the country's requirement for financial and technical support from donor countries and international aid agencies.
India had responded promptly after the quake struck Nepal, despatching a large number of rescue teams, doctors and disaster relief experts. The Indian Air Force and Army had also deployed helicopters and transport aircraft for rescue effort and to reach relief.
Rescue workers from over 30 countries had come to Nepal to help the people affected by the quake, the country's worst in more than 80 years. The land-locked nation's weak economy, with tourism as its main source of revenue generation, has been further enfeebled by the quake.
