By Deepak Adhikari
KATHMANDU, Nepal
Nepal’s prime minister has urged the international community to provide greater support to Nepal as it rebuilds after being struck by two devastating earthquakes in April and May.
Sushil Koirala asked the high-level delegates to support the country's five-year plan for reconstruction, at an international donor conference held in Kathmandu on Thursday.
Koirala said his government was committed to a zero tolerance approach on corruption to ensure aid reaches the intended beneficiaries, in a bid to allay aid agency concerns that Nepal’s lacked of ability to spend such large amounts of money effectively.
"We are committed to the rule of law and the protection and promotion of the human rights of our people. We are working to put democratic institutions in place, with checks and balances firmly embedded in them," Koirala said in his inaugural address to the one-day donor’s meet in Kathmandu.
"I assure you that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that your support reaches the intended beneficiaries. We will share periodically the use of funds to maintain transparency because you are accountable to your own citizens," Koirala said.
A report presented by the government last week estimated the economic loss to be around $6.8 billion, and the cost for reconstruction to be the same.
On Thursday, donors pledged more aid towards Nepal’s recovery efforts.
Sushma Swaraj, the Indian external affairs minister, said her government pledged an extra $1 billion in reconstruction aid.
"Nepal is not alone. In times of distress, [the] nearest neighbor helps first. Relatives and friends come later," Swaraj said, stressing the need for efficient and transparent utilization of funds. "It would require robust institutions [to implement the recovery efforts]. The challenge is formidable and so must be the response."
China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, also announced a 3 billion Renminbi ($482 million) aid package for Nepal.
Thursday’s major aid pledges included the Asian Development Bank’s $600 million; Japan’s $260 million for schools, housing and community infrastructure; a U.S. pledge of $130 million for reconstruction; and a European Union offer of a $100 million grant for budgetary support.
Nepal was hit by a 7.8-magnitude quake on April 25, followed by another large jolt on May 12, that killed almost 9,000 people, injured 20,000 and destroyed half a million homes.
