MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nepal following the earthquakes

9.6.2015 - (2015/2734(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure

Charles Tannock, Mark Demesmaeker, Geoffrey Van Orden, Valdemar Tomaševski, Jana Žitňanská, Branislav Škripek, Angel Dzhambazki, Peter van Dalen, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Ryszard Czarnecki, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Anna Elżbieta Fotyga, Ian Duncan on behalf of the ECR Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0580/2015

B8‑0581/2015

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Nepal following the earthquakes

(2015/2734(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Nepal,

- having regard to the joint statement of 25 April 2015 by HR/VP Federica Mogherini, EU Commissioner for Development Neven Mimica and Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Christos Sylianides on the earthquake in Asia, as well as other official statements,

- having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 1966,

- having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,

 

A.  Whereas the humanitarian situation affecting Nepal and the surrounding region following the devastating earthquake on 25 April and the subsequent earthquake on 12 May remains extremely grave, with over 8,700 people reported dead and many more injured, and with at least half a million houses destroyed and 2.8 million displaced people, many of whom are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance;

B.  Whereas an estimated 1.7 million children have been affected as well, because of the death of one or both parents, or the destruction of their homes or schools; whereas orphans are at an increased risk of starvation, sickness, abuse, neglect or trafficking;

C.  Whereas in addition to the terrible loss of lives and the many injured the earthquake also severely damaged the cultural, religious and historical heritage of the country, presenting a blow to national identity as well as indispensable sources of revenue;

D.  Whereas EU Member States and the European Commission have provided important financial assistance in response, as well as offering relief items and search and rescue teams through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism;

E.  Whereas the relief effort has been hindered by limited and damaged infrastructure, but whereas supply routes have been set up through neighbouring countries, in particular India through its 'Operation Friendship';

F.  Whereas the main difficulty has not been with shortage of aid but also with complications in getting it where needed;

G.  Whereas monsoon rains are expected to start very soon and will significantly affect relief efforts, in particular in the more remote areas;

H.  Whereas although partly resolved, problems still exist with regards to lengthy customs procedures for humanitarian supplies sent to Nepal by official and private donors and whereas in some cases import duties are reportedly levied;

I.  Whereas thousands in need of aid following the earthquakes risk being left to fend for themselves amidst worrying signs that gender, caste, including Dalits, and ethnic discrimination are inhibiting the aid effort;

 

1.  Expresses deepest condolences to all those that have been affected by this terrible tragedy, including the families of the more than 8,700 people who lost their lives in Nepal, India, China and Bangladesh;

2.  Calls on the international community to continue to assist the Government of Nepal with short term humanitarian support and long-term recovery and rehabilitation efforts;

3.  Calls on the Government of Nepal and the international community to ensure that separated children are reunited with their families as quickly as possible and for children to be at the heart of the humanitarian intervention;

4.  Calls on the international community to assist the Government of Nepal with salvaging and restoring damaged cultural, religious and historical heritage;

5.  Highlights United Nations estimates that an additional $298.2 million is urgently required to provide humanitarian assistance, in particular in light of the approaching monsoon season, and calls for a renewed global effort to fulfill these urgent funding needs;

6.  Urges the Government of Nepal to resolve the remaining problems with customs procedures for humanitarian supplies and calls on the Government of Nepal to lift any so called "relief taxes" being levied on humanitarian supplies by local police at Nepal's borders and to work alongside aid agencies to ensure the aid swiftly reaches the places where it is needed;

7.  Expresses concern at reports of discrimination in the distribution of humanitarian aid and calls on the Government of Nepal to ensure that aid reaches those who need it, regardless of who they are and where the aid is coming from; furthermore calls on the Vice-President / High Representative to address this issue at the highest possible political level in her contacts in Nepal;

8.  Commends regional governments, in particular the Government of India, for their assistance in the international aid effort; calls on the Commission, the Member States and international stakeholders to work with the Government of Nepal and other regional governments on the issue of improving resilience to natural disasters;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the government and parliament of Nepal.