Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to encourage the international community to (a) increase contributions to Nepal urgently and (b) ensure full funding of the Flash appeal.

Prior to the earthquake the UK was already the largest bilateral donor to Nepal. The UK is providing more than £33 million to the earthquake response in Nepal. DFID officials will attend the upcoming international conference in Kathmandu on 25 June and use that forum to encourage other donors to increase their engagement and provide much needed funds for both the urgent post-earthquake needs and for the longer term reconstruction efforts. The UK has made available approximately £5 million to the UN Flash Appeal and is supporting the UN in its efforts to secure further funding.