The former Doncaster Central MP visited to support the UK’s response to the flooding tragedy

Doncaster’s Baroness Winterton has visited Nepal to oversee the UK’s response to the devastating floods which have claimed hundreds of lives.

The former Doncaster Central MP, who is the UK’s Minister for the Indo-Pacific region, arrived in Kathmandu as Britain stepped up its support for Nepal.

During her visit, she has met representatives of the Nepali government, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the UN Resident Coordinator and humanitarian organisations involved in the response.

She has also visited a humanitarian staging area in Kathmandu, a key hub for storing and distributing aid supplies. The facility was opened with UK Aid and is being used to help get assistance to people impacted by the floods.

Her visit has focused on hearing directly from those leading Nepal’s response and reaffirming the UK’s support for the Nepali government and communities affected by the floods.

British officials, including members of the UK’s Rapid Deployment Team, are supporting families of British nationals affected by the crisis and helping them access consular assistance.

The UK has announced £5 million in humanitarian funding for urgent relief and early recovery through the UN, the Red Cross and non-governmental organisations. It includes £750,000 for emergency assistance through the Red Cross movement, including clean water, shelter, first aid and emergency supplies.

A further £1 million is being provided through Start Fund Nepal to support local organisations delivering emergency healthcare, first aid and other lifesaving assistance.

Up to £250,000 will be used to deploy UK humanitarian expertise and improve coordination, including through humanitarian advisers, logistics specialists and data experts.

The remaining £3 million will support affected communities as they recover and help strengthen their ability to cope with future climate and disaster-related emergencies.

The UK is also working with Nepali authorities and international partners on disaster victim identification, with British experts offering assistance. British humanitarian advisers are already in Nepal, while engineering experts are being sent to support the wider response.

She was appointed to the role earlier this year by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

The former Doncaster Central MP, who was elevated to the House of Lords following her retirement from the Commons in 2024, was appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.