WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The United Nations refugee agency on Monday said it is rushing critical supplies to Nepal in the wake of the devastating earthquake last week, while pledging to provide any further assistance needed.
The agency is sending 11,000 plastic sheets and 4,000 solar lanterns from its warehouse in Damak, eastern Nepal, to the eastern hilly districts of Ramechhap, Okhaldhunga and Sindhuli. And later this afternoon, an additional 8,000 plastic sheets and 4,000 solar lamps are being flown to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, from Dubai via a cargo plane.
UNHCR will also be providing tarpaulins, which will help shelter earthquake victims whose homes have been destroyed or who are too afraid of aftershocks to return home. In view of the electricity shortage, UNHCR hopes that the solar lamps can provide some light in the affected areas and help to charge mobile phones at a time when families need to communicate urgently.
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) also announced today that it is deploying emergency telecommunication equipment including 35 satellite mobile phones and 10 satellite Broadband Global Area Network terminals along with solar panels and laptops to support relief coordination efforts.
Meanwhile, UNICEF says it has prepositioned supplies, including water purification tablets, hygiene kits, tarpaulins and nutrition supplies and is working with government and other partners to meet children's immediate needs in the areas of water and sanitation, child protection, health and nutrition.
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