Quake-stricken Nepal to appeal for more aid at World Health Assembly

The Nepalese government is set to appeal to the international community for more assistance to cope with the aftermath of a massive 7.9-magnitude earthquakes, local media reported Monday.

Khaga Raj Adhikari, minister for health and population who is leading a Nepalese delegation to participate in the 68th World Health Assembly scheduled for May 18-26 in Geneva, told the Himalayan Times that Nepal will draw the attention of the international community to the situation in the country.

The World Health Organization requested the Nepalese government not to look for any other option but the health minister to put forward the issues of Nepal in the wake of the April 25 quake and its powerful aftershocks, which have claimed over 8,500 people, Adhikari, who is expected to return to Nepal on Wednesday, said.

"The government of Nepal will use this forum to highlight the plight of the country in the aftermath of the disaster and appeal to the international community for more support in the fight against potential outbreak of epidemics and in rebuilding the health institutions fully or partially destroyed by the tremors," said the minister.

As many as 355 public health facilities were destroyed, while 363 others were partially damaged due to the earthquake and its aftershocks, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.

The Nepalese government is in immediate need of over 39 million U.S. dollars to reconstruct or repair the buildings of health institutions, Adhikari said. Endi