(Trinidad Express) Cabinet on Thursday agreed to contribute US $150,000 (almost TT $1 million) to the emergency appeal of the International Federation of the Red Cross to provide vital aid to earthquake stricken Nepal.
In making the announcement at the post-Cabinet news conference, Trade and Communicat-ions Minister Vasant Bharath said this was “a demonstration of good will and solidarity” to the people and Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
Bharath said Nepal has received assistance from the US, Canada, China and India and was soon to obtain aid from Japan, Australia, Switzerland, UK, European Union,, the International Federation of the Red Cross among others.
Bharath said the 7.8 earthquake which struck on April 21, has left 5,000 dead to date but the Prime Minister of Nepal has estimated that the death toll could be in the region of 10,000. He said the UN office had estimated that 8 million people and 39 districts were affected, with 500,000 people displaced and 4 million people requiring food aid.
He added that there was significant loss in the housing stock, in basic infrastructure- water, sanitation and health facilities. The Minister said it was estimated that the long term costs of rebuilding could be around US $5 billion.
