A convoy of 17 trucks carrying the first consignment of the 10,000 MT of rice being donated by the Government of Bangladesh as part of its assistance package to Nepal in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of 25 April has arrived in Kakarvitta in the early hours this morning. 

The consignment was handed over to Kamal B. Thapa, Assistant CDO, Jhapa District for onward distribution in Nepal.  It may be recalled that the Cabinet Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday, 04 May 2015 decided to send 10,000 MT of rice and adequate drinking water to Nepal as humanitarian assistance for earthquake victims.

This is in addition to the assistance already sent by Government of Bangladesh.  So far, Bangladesh has sent 850 tents, 5 tons dry food and provisions, 4,000 liters of bottled drinking water, 10 tons of medicines and medical equipment, 90 kgs. of cotton, 45 kgs. of bandages, 8,000 pieces of ready made garments and 1,300 pieces of blankets. 

These relief materials have been sent to Kathmandu by special Bangladesh Air Force flight on 26 April, 01 May and 03 May 2015.  A 30-member medical team of the Bangladesh Army also arrived on 26 April and has been working in Bhaisepati, Lalitpur since 27 April morning and have given medical treatment to more than 3,000 earthquake victims.  More relief material are expected to arrive in Nepal by some more special Air Force flights shortly.

In addition to that the Embassy of Bangladesh has also been working with several private organizations and has distributed relief materials in Lalitpur and Dhulikhel as well as several villages in Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot and Gorkha.  The children of the Embassy officials have formed volunteer groups and have been distributing relief goods to earthquake victims staying in camps.

According to a press release issued by Embassy of Bangladesh, a number of Non-Government Organizations from Bangladesh have arrived in Nepal and have been providing humanitarian assistance to victims of the earthquake in several localities outside the Kathmandu valley.  Numerous organizations, institutions and private individuals have sent relief materials in a spontaneous outpouring of sympathy for the friendly people of Nepal.  These include the Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Institute of Architects Bangladesh (IAB), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the members of the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh.  Many other organizations and individuals have also donated relief materials to the Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka.