In a press statement issued by European Commission, Commissioner Stylianides said, “I will assess the situation on the ground and determine how Europe can best continue to help in this hour of need. I will also express the solidarity of the people and the institutions of Europe with the Nepalese people and their government: a solidarity they need so badly at this time."

During his visit here, the EU crisis management chief will join humanitarian aid and civil protection experts from the European Union who are deployed to Nepal to assess the needs and coordinate with international partners.

The visit comes after  urgent mobilisation of funding (€3 million) from the European Commission and first response teams and assets from the Member States. So far, 16 countries have provided support to Nepal with EU coordination, via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

EU funding is helping meet the most urgent needs in the worst affected areas of Nepal: clean water, medicines, shelter and telecommunications. Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as Norway, are participating in this joint effort so far.