Urgent Appeal for Nepal

Thanks to everyone who has supported Karuna's fundraising for the Green Tara Trust's work in Nepal.

I'm posting a number of updates now from the past months of work. This is the first - a summary of the initial relief activities and lots of pictures from the first month. 

Thanks to the support we recieved, in the weeks frollowing the earthquake, we were able to:

• Conduct a rapid needs assessment locally, including a meeting with municipality officials, local women's networks and members of women's groups.
• Met with local health facility staff and listed the emergency medicines needed for disaster and epidemic prevention and control
• Bought 160 tents from Butwal and provided rice, lentils, salt and oil to the poorest families.
• Sanitation and hygeine kits were bought and distributed at Daxinkali and Chhaimale. There are plans to distribute other emergency suppies there (such as blankets, torches etc.)
• The priority is now controlling the outbreak of any epidemics locally. A staff member a volunteer are helping to promote proper waste disposal, the construction of temporary toilets and proper waste disposal. 
• The main intervention beyond emergency relief will be the reconstruction of functioning birthing centres, so that women can give birth safely.

Thanks to everyone who has been able to help with this essential work.