Media Release: 28 May 2015
CARITAS NEPAL REACHES OVER 130,000
PEOPLE WITH LIFE-SAVING AID
Caritas Nepal, the aid and development agency of the Nepal Catholic Church, has been working tirelessly to provide emergency relief across 13 of the most affected districts following the two devastating earthquakes that paralysed Nepal. With the support of the global Catholic network, Caritas Nepal has already supported more than 130,000 people with temporary shelter supplies which include tarpaulins, plastic mats and blankets, kits for clean water and hygiene care, and dry food.
Caritas Nepal and local partner staff and volunteers have shown incredible dedication in reaching the most affected and marginalised families in devastated communities. Even though many of them have suffered their own loss, and many are sleeping outside themselves because their homes have been destroyed, they continue to work around the clock determined to selflessly help and honour the dignity of others.
Bishop Paul Simick, Vicar Apostolic of Nepal said, “Caritas is the Church’s principal agency of love in action. Caritas Nepal is reaching out with this message of love to all our affected brother and sisters through this love in action… We are here to save lives and give hope to the people.”
Caritas Nepal is part of Caritas Internationalis, the second largest humanitarian network in the world. Seasoned humanitarian staff from across the global Catholic network have joined Caritas Nepal on the ground to support the complex logistical operations of procuring and distributing relief items. Caritas is providing assistance in the following earthquake-affected districts: Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot, Kavre, Dhading, Lamjung, Okhaldhunga, Makawanpur, Rasuwa, Sindhuli, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.
In many districts, Caritas teams, with support from local volunteers, have tackled challenging conditions to provide emergency assistance. In Gorkha, the team trekked mountainous terrain for two days to reach isolated villages. Shelter continues to be one of the most urgent priorities in the emergency response. With the expected monsoon season, Caritas is working as quickly as possible to get critical shelter and supplies to communities. They have also organised health camps for communities who do not have access to basic health services.
Last weekend, Caritas Nepal’s Director Fr Pius Perumana accompanied the Apostolic Nuncio from Rome, His Excellency Salvatore Pennacchio in a meeting with Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. During the meeting, they discussed Caritas Nepal’s commitment to the emergency response. “I already reassured the Prime Minister of Caritas Nepal’s long-term plan and commitments to Nepal’s people,” said Fr Perumana. “We are not going to just get away after a little relief distribution. We will be there in the long term.”
Since the earthquake, Fr Perumana has visited districts devastated by the disaster, and spoken with people who have lost loved ones and homes. “The thing that impressed me most is the resilience of the people,” said Fr Perumana. “There is tragedy and suffering but the people haven’t lost hope. This gives me a lot of encouragement… I would like to say we are shaken but not beaten; we shall rise as one stronger Nepal.”
For media enquiries or interviews with Fr Pius Perumana, contact:
– Prakash Khadka, Communications officer, +977 9841507179 or pknepole@gmail.com
– Robin Shrestha, Communications officer, +9779851123420 or robinshrestha.caritasnepal@gmail.comL
– Lilian Chan, Communications support, +977 9803736631 or lilianc@caritas.org.au
Caritas Nepal, Dhobighat (near Assumption Catholic Church), Lalitpur, Nepal. GPO Kathmandu – PO Box 9571 Tel: +977-1-5538172; 5539344; 5543726; UTL – 2210317 / Email: director.caritasnepal@gmail.com
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