Quake-hit Nepal receiving less foreign aid: UN

Kathmandu, May 8: The United Nations said on Friday that Nepal is getting less foreign aid than anticipated and urged the international community to step up its humanitarian assistance.

Jamie McGoldrick, the UN Resident Coordinator for Nepal, said Kathmandu had got only $22.4 million of the $415 million it had sought from the international community following the deadly April 25 earthquake.

"We urgently need funds to be able to continue our work," he told the media here.

"Of the requested $415 million to support immediate humanitarian intervention, only $22.4 million was received. This needs to be dramatically ramped up," he said.

The death toll from the tragedy has reached close to 8,000

The death toll from the tragedy has reached close to 8,000 with over 16,000 people injured.

"Shelter remains our top most priority," said McGoldrick, adding nearly 285,000 houses had been destroyed and another 230,000 damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without a roof over their head.

Other priorities include sanitation and hygiene support, household items, medical kits and supplies, and food.

"Our main focus now is to reach as many of the affected people in remote, hard-to-reach areas and as quickly as possible to beat the onset of the monsoon," he said.

IANS