Widespread damage as a result of Saturday’s earthquake in Nepal
Emergency aid is reaching people affected by the massive earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday.
Approximately 2,000 people are known to have died as a result of the earthquake, with many more left homeless. Trócaire is working through the Caritas network of humanitarian agencies to deliver emergency relief in Nepal.
The Caritas network is currently arranging for 2,000 shelters, 167,000 water purification tablets and over 40,000 hygiene kits to be distributed to affected communities in the coming days.
You can help relief efforts by donating to our emergency appeal. Just €10 will provide water for a family for one week, a tent to shelter for a homeless family or a 30kg of rice that will feed a family for one month.
Pius Perumana, Director of Caritas Nepal, said that the scale of the relief operation will be huge.
“It was the worst earthquake I have ever experienced in my life,” he said. “Lots of houses have fallen down. Thank God it was during the day and on a holiday as many people were outside when the quake happened.
“Rescue is the still the main priority at the moment. Lots of people have lost their homes and are out on the streets or in open spaces at 11 and 15 degrees Celsius’ temperature overnight, so we will be looking to provide them with food and temporary shelter. There have been 66 minor aftershocks and another major earthquake today, which is a usually a rare phenomena in such a short period. The damage will be devastating with this recent earthquake.”
Noreen Gumbo, Trócaire’s Head of Humanitarian programmes, said that Trócaire will be working with Caritas partners to deliver aid to people who have been affected by the disaster.
“We are working through Caritas partners to reach people affected by the earthquake,” she said. “Already Caritas has brought pre-positioned supplies into Nepal by land from India and will be procuring additional relief materials locally and in India over the coming days. Initial relief activities are focused on temporary shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene. Because damaged buildings are not safe to re-enter yet, especially with continuing aftershocks, many families are sleeping outside and require shelter and protection from the cold and rain.”
You can donate online here to Trócaire’s emergency appeal or by phoning 1850 408 408 (RoI) or 0800 912 1200 (NI).
