Thousands at risk as emergency helicopters in quake-hit Nepal could be grounded due to lack of funding

Emergency helicopter services in quake-hit Nepal may be forced to stop within weeks due to a lack of funding, leaving almost 150,000 people without food and shelter to survive the monsoon season, the United Nations warned.

Annual monsoon rains and resulting landslides could cut off access to remote communities devastated by the two quakes which struck in April and May, making helicopters crucial for reaching them, according to the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS).

The quakes killed around 8,900 people, injured more than 22,000 and forced tens of thousands into temporary shelters.

“We have pending requests to move about 650 metric tons of emergency supplies, and new requests for the movement of cargo continue to be received daily,” said Edmondo Perrone, UNHAS logistics cluster coordinator.

“About 35 organisations are waiting for airlifts, which emphasises how desperate the need is for this service right now,” he added in a statement.

The UN helicopter service has only received half the US$18 million it needs to operate until the end of October. If the shortfall is not met soon, deliveries will stop at the end of August, UNHAS said.