Port Louis, Mauritius – The Republic of Mauritius has contributed $1 million towards the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s earthquake response and recovery programme in Nepal.
The donation, from the Prime Minister’s Solidarity Fund for Nepal, will help to create emergency jobs and restore public infrastructure and basic services for earthquake-affected communities before the Monsoon season starts. UNDP will focus specifically on helping women-headed households to recover from the earthquakes.
“This money will be used for helping people quickly get back on their feet,” said Jamie McGoldrick, UNDP’s Resident Representative and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nepal.
At a ceremony held in Port Louis today, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, said the contribution reflected the deep empathy and sense of solidarity of the Mauritian people.
Millions of people were displaced by the earthquakes that struck in April and May, and are currently sleeping in tents and makeshift shelters, while hundreds of thousands were left without any means of making a living.
In some of the hardest-hit areas, almost all homes and community infrastructure was destroyed or damaged. Rural livelihoods ground to a halt with the destruction of irrigation systems, local markets and community centers.
The funds were raised from both individual donations and through a government pledge. “The generosity of the government and people of Mauritius to support those most in need in Nepal is commendable,” said Simon Springett, UNDP’s Resident Representative and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Mauritius.
Like many of its Indian Ocean neighbours, Mauritius is highly exposed to natural disasters, particularly storm surges and cyclones, and focuses much attention on disaster risk reduction activities to support national preparedness measures.
Contact Information
Nicolas Douillet, Communications Specialist, UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, email: nicolas.douillet@undp.org Tel: +1 212 906 5937