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World Vision calls for urgent medical, shelter aid in Nepal

by IBNS 01 May 2015, 09:03 am

Kathmandu, May 1 (IBNS): Following Saturday's magnitude earthquake that caused widespread destruction and displacement in Nepal, World Vision has highlighted the immediate requirement of medical and shelter aid for the survivors.

With the monsoon season just round the corner, there is an urgent need to ensure that shelter solutions are in place. 

Also, the threats posed by hazards such as aftershocks and damaged buildings on families, who are exposed and currently living under dangerous conditions, increase the urgency to provide the necessary relief measures.

Over 200 World Vision staff are working along with the Government of Nepal and other partners to access, assess and identify the worst affected of the 30 impacted districts in order to update their priority programmer planning.

Disaster management specialists from World Vision Australia, India, Bangladesh and Singapore have already reached the affected areas to help and support the NGO’s team in Nepal with regards to damage assessment and implementation. 

World Vision is also bringing in emergency shelter materials and related hygiene products to distribute to affected populations. As of today, around 1,000 tarpaulins and 600 blankets have been distributed in Bhaktapur, one of the worst hit areas and a former programmer area of the organization.

“Over the coming days, World Vision targets meeting the immediate needs of 1,00,000 people by providing first aid kids, sleeping mats, blankets, water, temporary shelter and protection for children. This will include setting up child friendly spaces so that children have a safe place to play following the trauma of the quake. Assessment teams have arrived in Gorkha, the hardest-hit area, to understand the situation and, most importantly, the impact on vulnerable children,” said Jayakumar Christian, Director, World Vision India.