NEPAL EARTHQUAKE UPDATE Gorkha 06/05/2015 Nepal, 10 days on... Current figures show over 7,500 dead, and more than twice as many injured Over 153,000 buildings in ruins across the country, and half a million more badly damaged Many official aid channels are still struggling to get through to the worst affected rural areas, due to difficult terrain and political and bureaucratic barriers, and supplies are being held up at Nepal’s borders and airport Major international donors are frustrated by infighting within the deeply divided Nepalese government According to the UN, there are 2 million people needing tents, water, food and medicine over the next three months, yet currently there is a countrywide scarcity of adequate shelter materials and foodstuffs Aid agencies have warned of serious risk of water-borne disease outbreaks, due to lack of shelter, poor sanitation and contaminated water sources In Gorkha... Most villages in the remote north of the district have been completely destroyed leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless Vital food and medicine supplies are gradually reaching target areas, but not quickly enough nor in the quantities needed Rural district chiefs feel overwhelmed, and admit that hardly 20% of needs have been met Rain is a continual threat to relief afforts, and could cause further landslides in this hill region With planting season just six weeks away and the monsoon following soon after, it is a race against time to get villagers sheltered and prepared The need Funds have so far been deployed in the following areas: • • • • Food Hygiene & medical supplies Shelter and bedding materials Shelter building Working closely with Nabaraj Thapa of Himalayan Planet Adventures, together with other local colleagues, we have been able to successfully purchase and deliver the above supplies to the village of Bungkot and the surrounding settlements. Manpower and tools were also provided to help salvage materials from the rubble, constructing shelters away from unstable, dangerous structures. In Bungkot and environs, we were able to supply • • • • • • 1 kilometre of tarpaulin = shelters built for 60+ families 5 large military tents for multiple families 50 blankets 55 large camping mats Medicine & food Clothes* *Clothing supplies were targeted specifically for village members of the Dalit caste. These groups are the poorest caste in Hindu society. Gorkha Foundation We are also raising awareness and funds for the relief efforts of Gorkha Foundation, a US / Gorkhabased charity that we are honoured to have worked with over the past four years. The foundation are using their local manpower and extensive geographical knowledge of the area in coordination with The Red Cross, Medecins sans Frontieres, Mercy Corps and The Nepalese Army to provide aid. Gorkha Foundation have so far • established a base in Gorkha Bazaar to expedite a quick & direct response with those on the frontline of the relief effort. • secured the purchase of 16,000 tarpaulins direct from manufacturers in India, and are bypassing tardy government channels to transport these into the country • landed a helicopter with supplies in the Tsum Valley, the most remote part of the district www.gorkhafoundation.org What next? With relief successfully delivered to Bungkot, we are now turning our attention to the other areas of Gorkha district which have been identified as being in dire need. For as long as donations continue, together with Gorkha Foundation and our various teams, we are now focusing on the following in the next phase: Delivery and construction of more shelters Clean water and sanitation supplies Further food, hygiene and medicine supplies www.gorkhafoundation.org WE STILL NEED YOUR SUPPORT! An enormous THANK YOU to our donors so far, for making this possible: Charlie & Rich Burn Monica Mok Karen Kennan Karen Cheng Dave Wilson Paul Hampton Paul & Conchita Burn Becky Gosling Jennifer Wong Gail Maxted Francoise de St Germain Wong Kwei Willy Johnston Jessica Sharman Ross Bowdler Dave Hughes Rory Allen Maggie Yu & friends Joan Ho Miran Nam Kelvin Lai & friends Joanne Kim Geoff Pike Sharon Keen Janis Southern Helena Lim & Pol Fabrega Jude Griffiths Molly Cheung Jon & Jayne Handley Will Maxted Adam Brown Kirsty Porter Jeff & Wendy Siu Florian Stein & Diane Arapovic The Law Office of Alison Yew Jacqueline Stich Pol Fabrega & Helena Lim Sam & Sonia Innes Winnie Chan Mark Foster Karen Johnstone-McCarthy David Hughes Melody Siew & John Arndt Natalie Regazzoni Simon Robinson Woodentots Montessori Preschool Alex Xue Mikey & Steph Brennan Andy Macgregor Ben Macgregor Luke & Trish Maitland Amy Wan Jon Mulshaw Canford Cliffs Bookkeeping Janice Mouskis Mei Yee Chan Mauricio Tamayo Gavin & Olga Barratt Julie Noble Connie Mak The Handley Family Ruchie Farndon-Long Edith Chan John & Sheila Maxted Kelly Jordan & Dave Whiddon Steve Lee A Hensler Laibond Cheng Chanpen Kittijarujit ...plus our anonymous donors. KEEP SPREADING THE WORD! Alison & Chris x
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