Finnish Red Cross is sending an emergency response unit (ERU), specialized in logistics, to Kathmandu airport. This single international airport in the country is, and will be for the foreseeable future, a hub for incoming aid. There are only a couple of land routes into the country, and the roads are difficult to negotiate.
The Finnish Red Cross logistics unit will be at the centre of the concerted Red Cross effort to bring in aid and professionals to support the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) to deliver the much needed help to the people in need.
In addition to the Finnish ERU, the Red Cross family of National Societies has deployed one field hospital, two health centre units, one water and sanitation unit, another logistics unit plus a relief unit specialized to secure distribution of relief items to the most vulnerable as well as other specialised units. A telecom unit provides Red Cross response elements with independent telco-connections.
Finnish Red Cross has released 250,000 euros from its Emergency Relief Fund. At the end of April people in Finland had donated almost half a million euros for the Nepal operation. Together with the Finnish Red Cross, Finland’s Nepalese community has been extremely active in organizing fundraising activities. Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs funds the Finnish Red Cross Nepal operation with 0.9 million euros.
In addition to the logistics ERU Finnish Red Cross sends relief items, such as family tents and kitchen sets to Nepal, and contributes to the shared bursary paying for local and regional purchases of items most needed to relieve the plight of the affected people.
Experienced Finnish Red Cross aid workers hold key positions as part of the International Red Cross (IFRC) coordination of the operation. Head of IFRC Country Office in Nepal is Ms. Ritva Lahti. Ms. Tiina Saarikoski heads the concerted effort to solve health issues, and Mr. Marko Korhonen is in charge of the co-operation of the various Red Cross elements operating in Nepal as part of the joint response.
Finnish Red Cross delegates Minna Passi and Aapo Huhta were some of the first to visit the badly affected rural district of Sindhupalchowk. People were still feverishly digging for survivors in the flattened buildings. Army helicopters scout the area to see where there are needs for help. Local people´s message to all helpers is clear: Please try to get to remote areas. Need for help there is huge.