Nepal to send 27 tons of relief supplies to earthquake-hit Myanmar

KATHMANDU: The Nepalese government is set to send around 27 tons of relief supplies to Myanmar.

A delegation, including senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will depart from Nepal tonight to hand over the aid to the Myanmar government.

Foreign Minister Dr. Arzu Rana confirmed the information, stating that the delegation will oversee the delivery of the aid materials in Myanmar.

The aid comes in response to the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar last Friday, which resulted in over 3,000 fatalities.

The Myanmar government had provided a list of necessary items, including food, medicines, and medical teams, which Nepal has now prepared to deliver.

Previously, a medical team from the Nepalese army had already arrived in Myanmar. According to Minister Rana, both the private sector and the government have collected 27 tons of materials, which will be handed over to the Myanmar government.

“Our embassy in Myanmar was in contact with the government there, and they provided a list of required items, including food, medicines, and medical teams. A medical team from the Nepalese army has already been sent, and it will return in two days. The relief materials have been gathered through the combined efforts of the government and the private sector,” Rana explained.

Dr. Prakash Budhathoki, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, also highlighted that Myanmar had been a supportive nation during Nepal’s devastating earthquake in 2015.

In response, Nepal is now sending aid, which includes food, cooking utensils, medicines, blood transfusion sets, and tents.

“More than 27 metric tons of materials are being sent to Myanmar today, including emergency medical supplies from the Nepalese army. The total value of the relief materials is approximately 140 million Nepali rupees,” he said.

Budhathoki further noted that the relief materials are being sourced from government stocks as well as private sector contributions, including donations from organizations like FNCCI, CNI, Chauchau, and various pharmaceutical factories.

This relief effort is a gesture of solidarity, as Myanmar had extended its support to Nepal during the 2015 earthquake.