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Emergency Appeals for Nepal

Monday April 27

^{Picture: Rescue Network Nepal/Tearfund}

Charities have launched emergency appeals as they rush to get help to people affected by Saturday’s earthquake in Nepal.

Around 3700 people are confirmed dead, thousands more severely injured and whole communities devastated by the 7.8-magnitude. Thousands are living in the open because of the threat of aftershocks causing more buildings to collapse.

Steve Collins, Tearfund’s Country Director for Nepal, said: “It’s horrible in [Nepalese capital] Kathmandu at the moment. There are a lot of aftershocks, really strong ones. The aftershocks are scary when you know buildings are already weakened.”

Mark Galpin, of Tearfund and Church of Scotland partner organisation United Mission to Nepal (UMN), said: “Most people in Kathmandu are sleeping outside. Aftershocks are continuing and are likely to do so for some time. Damage is primarily to the old houses and temples within Kathmandu.

“The death toll is rising steadily. We still have one or two staff members we have not been able to contact. However we have no reports of injuries or casualties among our staff so far.

“We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers for the people of Nepal at this time."

^{People gathering in the street as buildings were jolted by repeated aftershocks in Kathmandu. Photo: Darren Denness UVN/Tearfund}

In the immediate aftermath of the quake, Christian Aid sent £50,000 to its partner agencies, who are helping with shelter and distributing water purification kits.

Ram Kishan, Regional Emergency Manager of South Asia, said: “Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the region and has one of the least capacities to deal with an emergency of this scale. Medical services and hospitals are facing an immense strain at the moment. In Kathmandu Valley, hospitals are overcrowded, running out of room for storing corpses and also running short of emergency supplies.

“At the moment we know that 6.6m people have been affected. However, the numbers are likely to increase because the earthquake epicentres - mainly Gorkha, Makwanpur and Lamjung - are still not accessible. Those affected will have immediate and long-term needs emerging in the coming days. The most pressing need at the moment is for food, water supplies, medication, blankets, hygiene kits and other essentials for people who are displaced.”

Tearfund emergency appeal

Christian Aid emergency appeal

United Mission to Nepal

EMMS International emergency appeal

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