Volunteers and staff of Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) continue to work round the clock in an emergency response and support to people of affected area immediately after the 7.8 magnitude disastrous earthquake on 25 April, 2015. Red Cross workers are engaged in the field for assisting in search and rescue efforts, providing first aid to the injured, transporting the wounded to hospitals and temporary shelters. Additionally, Sanitation and health activities, restoring family links are other important immediate support. NRCS is also preparing support plan for next six months. These humanitarian services are being implemented in coordination and cooperation of the Government of Nepal, UN agencies, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Partners, national and international organizations as well as the communities.
As of 2nd May, People of 900 villages and 58 municipalities in 53 districts are affected due to the quake. The number of casualties from the quake has exceeded 7,000. The number of wounded is over 14,000. NRCS estimated that three hundred thousand households are totally damaged and over 1.2 million people are displaced. The report of human and physical loss continues to rise.
The NRCS has deployed National Disaster Response Team (NDRT) in 12 worst affected districts including Kathmandu valley, Sindhupalchok, Gorkha, Nuwakot, Kavre, Dhading, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Lamjung and Rasuwa. More than 5000 volunteers are working in those areas.
More than 3,000 have been provided with first aid services. As of Saturday, a total of 20 thousands of tarpaulin, 2 thousands of Non-food relief items and 1,850 blankets have been distributed to the needy people. Sanitation and Hygiene activities are going side by side with orientation classes, distribution of soap, oral rehydration solution and promotion of rapid toilets.
Relief materials are being distributed in outside Kathmandu valley as well. There are high demand relief materials as well as support to over 270 thousands families. Limited stocks of emergency relief items available in the central office are being supported by different district chapters and local organization in and out of the affected area.
National and International relief aid started arriving from the second day of the earthquake. About 20 National Societies of Red Cross and Red Crescent are supporting in one or another way. Those wishing to extend humanitarian assistance could do so through its account 17-0002089-33 at the Standard Chartered Bank, Nepal.
Red Cross has managed enough stock of blood pints in its central as well as other blood service units. More than 2,000 pints of blood is in stock in Central Blood Transfusion Service Centre which is almost twice than the normal situation. NRCS thanks to all blood donors that made the reserve in comfort position. The NRCS is also activating its blood collection systems in branches and sub branches in readiness to mobilize additional blood needed.
NRCS continues to provide immediate humanitarian support with its available resources and capabilities. We are keeping proper recording of received materials and performing stockpiling, transportation and distribution works of the materials in a planned and impartial manner. However, we are extremely concerned about the rumors of organization's works as well as pressure from different authorities. Due to greater scope of the damage, we are yet to reach many areas in both urban and rural areas. We highly acknowledge activities carried out by the district branches and volunteers to support affected population by mobilizing local resources at local level and expect more support would be done in the course and after the initial assessment of the damage.
As a part of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, NRCS has an independent working modality and network while playing an auxiliary role to the public authorities. NRCS expects full support in its action from a wide range of stakeholders, including the government and the public in order to make a quick and effective service.
Important Highlights:
Those wishing to extend humanitarian assistance could do so through its account 17-0002089-33 at the Standard Chartered Bank, Nepal.
NRCS hotline to contact: +977-1-4671608, +977-1-270650
Message for Restoring Family Links +977-1-4277601 or send message through webpage www.familylink.icrc.org/Nepal
To send message to NRCS: Type RC < space> and write your important message and send to 4343