Shelter and medical supplies for quake survivors

As one of the poorest countries in the world, the needs before the earthquakes were enormous. The devastation from the earthquakes will pose staggering challenges in the months and years to come.

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, NYF delivered emergency medical supplies to area hospitals, including an x-ray machine to diagnose broken bones, distributed tarps, tents and food to hard-hit areas, cared for injured people in its two recovery centers in Kathmandu an Pokhara, and has set up day care centers for children whose families lost their homes.

Our latest report from our headquarters in Kathmandu on May 8, indicates our emergency aid reached over 13,000 people in the days following the earthquake.

• We delivered food, tarps, tents and clothing to 1,847 families in six districts affected by the earthquake.
• We purchased medical supplies and equipment for three major hospitals: TU Teaching Hospital, Patan Hospital and Dhulikhel Hospital, reaching more than 3,100 patients.
• We temporarily converted two of our nutritional clinics in Kathmandu and Pokhara into recovery centers and cared for 115 earthquake victims, including mothers and their newborns.
• We used school buses to transport 100 earthquake victims from area hospitals back to their homes.
• We delivered new sleeping gowns and baby clothes to 100 new mothers, and delivered used clothing to an additional 200 families.
• We opened a day-care center for 50 children whose families have been displaced by the earthquake. In addition to stories, dancing, and art, the children are receiving psychological counseling and a hearty mid-day meal.
• We delivered 35 water filters to families

The coming monsoon makes the relief efforts – shelter, clean water and sanitation – even more urgent. Rising temperatures, contaminated water, poor sanitation and heavy rains pose a serious risk of landslides, and water and mosquito-borne illnesses.

Last week, we saw a rising number of cases of diarrhea and related diseases in affected areas. Our team delivered more than100 family water filters, and 1,500 mosquito nets for at-risk families.

We are also expanding our emergency day care and learning center programs in and around Kathmandu.

We are coordinating with Nepal’s Central Child Welfare Board to set up temporary residential shelters for orphaned and unaccompanied children. NYF staff are in the in the hard-hit regions of Sindhupalchok and Gorkha to locate children in need of aid.

We will report on our larger scale rehabilitation solutions and rebuilding projects as we move ahead.

Thank you for your support.

Namaste!

Links:

• Nepal Youth Foundation