MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation in Nepal after the earthquakes
9.6.2015 - (2015/2734(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Dita Charanzová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Frédérique Ries, Marielle de Sarnez, Filiz Hyusmenova, Hilde Vautmans, Martina Dlabajová, Ivo Vajgl, Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea, Pavel Telička, Ramon Tremosa i Balcells, Gérard Deprez, Jozo Radoš, Petras Auštrevičius, Johannes Cornelis van Baalen, Marietje Schaake, Ivan Jakovčić, Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz, Robert Rochefort, Louis Michel, Petr Ježek, Antanas Guoga, Hannu Takkula, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Fredrick Federley, Nedzhmi Ali, Nathalie Griesbeck, Urmas Paet, José Inácio Faria on behalf of the ALDE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0580/2015
B8‑0590/2015
European Parliament resolution on the situation in Nepal after the earthquakes
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Nepal, in particular those of 29th September 2005, 7 April 2011,
– having regard to Rule 123 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 December 1948,
– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 1966,
– having regard to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
– having regard to the statement by Commissioner Christos Stylianides about the situation in Nepal after the earthquake on the 29th April 2015.
– having regard to the statement issued on the 25th April 2015 by the High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini, the EU Commissioner for Development Neven Mimica and the Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Christos Stylianides
– having regard to Rules 122(5) and 110(4) 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 at least 2.8 million displaced people, many of whom are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance.
B. Whereas the Government of Nepal confirmed over 500,000 houses were destroyed and 8,700 people killed by the earthquakes, with these numbers increasing every day.
C. Whereas the United Nations estimates that an additional $298.2 million is urgently required to provide humanitarian assistance to millions of people affected by the earthquake and to strengthen resilience during the forthcoming monsoon season.
D. Whereas EU Member States 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 a Post Disaster Needs Assessment is ongoing, supported by the European Union, the United Nations and the World Bank.
F. Whereas there have been worrying reports of discrimination based upon gender, caste and ethnicity in the distribution of earthquake relief aid, putting further at risk thousands of individuals in need of assistance,
G. Whereas there are reports that in some communities the aid effort has been politically manipulated and Dalits continue to be discriminated against in the distribution of post-earthquake relief materials, receiving less aid than those from castes ranking higher in Nepal’s caste system.
1. Expresses its 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 significantly increase efforts to assist the Government of Nepal with short term humanitarian support and long-term recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
3. Highlights United Nations estimates that an additional $298.2 million is urgently required to provide humanitarian assistance, as the monsoon season approaches and calls for a renewed global effort to increase donations.
4. Calls on the Government of Nepal to waive "relief taxes" reportedly being levied on humanitarian supplies by local police at Nepal's borders and to work alongside aid agencies to ensure aid reaches the areas where it is needed.
5. Expresses concern at reports of discrimination in the distribution of humanitarian aid and calls on the Government of Nepal to ensure that aid reaches all those who need it, regardless of who they are and where the aid is coming from.
6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Government and Parliament of Nepal, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Human Rights Council and the governments and parliaments of other states in the region.