Netherlands boosts financial aid to Nepal

The Dutch cabinet is committing an extra five million euros for emergency aid in Nepal, the government announced on Monday. The extra funding is in response to the UN announcement that 415 million dollars are needed for food, medicine and tents. The Dutch transfer their contribution to the World Food Programme of the UN, which is operating just outside Kathmandu, in one of the most affected areas. Besides food packages, victims also receive money with which they can buy their own food. This is done to stimulate local producers. WFP will also be providing means for people to grow their own food. Currently, there are 3.5 million people in Nepal suffering from food shortages. Part of the additional donation is spent on logistics and emergency telecommunications "There is a lot of work to do. It is terrible to see that children have to sleep on the streets. That old people do not get their medication," Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Lilliane Ploumen said. " With this contribution, we hop to give people back some hope. Besides the contribution to the WFP, the Dutch government is also providing four million euros for healthcare, shelter and food. That money is used by the Dutch Relief Alliance, an entity that brings together Dutch relief organizations. The public campaign Giro555 also collected 19 million in donations for victims of the Nepalese earthquake. The week-long campaign included participation from most Dutch broadcasters, and is an additional amount to the government's funding.