International Development Secretary Justine Greening said today the money would be used to increase the number of trauma medics assisting in the recovery efforts, provide more heavy lifting equipment to move supplies, and improve the coordination of the international response.

It has been estimated that the quake has killed more than 5,000 people, injured over 8,000 and left tens of thousands injured.

‘The UK is playing a leading role in response to the Nepal earthquake,’ Greening said.

‘We are boosting the British humanitarian effort by deploying more medics to treat the injured and delivering supplies that will help get aid through, including heavy lifting equipment to ensure supplies at Kathmandu airport can reach those in need.’

Today’s funding announcement is in addition to the £10m the UK has already pledged to the relief operation. This included £3m released under the Rapid Response Facility so partners can address immediate needs on the ground, £2m for the British Red Cross and up to £5m to match public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s earthquake appeal.

Yesterday, the United National Emergency Relief Coordinator released $15m (£9.75m) through its Central Emergency Response Fund to help humanitarian aid organisations rapidly scale up operations and to provide immediate assistance to people in desperate need.

‘With the death toll rising and millions of people affected, it’s a race against time as humanitarian agencies work around the clock to reach people and communities,’ said Valerie Amos, who is also under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs. ‘This allocation from CERF means that critical life-saving work can be scaled up immediately.’

Meanwhile, the US Agency for International Development pledged an additional $9m (£5.85m) in assistance for Nepal, bringing its total funding to $10m (£6.5m). USAID has also activated two search and rescue teams as part of its Disaster Assistance Response Team.