“Caritas Nepal stays one step ahead of monsoon rains”

“Caritas Nepal stays one step ahead of monsoon rains”

Date: 22 July 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Three months since Nepal was hit by a devastating earthquake, Caritas Nepal is reaching some of the country’s remotest communities with life-saving aid before the monsoon rains intensify.

Manindra Malla, Head of Programme Operations for Caritas Nepal, said: “Caritas Nepal has moved mountains to reach people in need – literally. The drivers of our aid trucks have shifted rocks from hillsides in Sindhupalchowk, one of the worst hit areas, to clear the roads.

“The dedication of our aid workers has ensured that, despite the many challenges caused by landslides and bad weather, aid has reached the communities where it’s needed most. And we will keep working to be one step ahead of the monsoon rains, doing all that we can to provide people with vital assistance.”

As a member of the Caritas network – a global coalition of more than 160 catholic aid agencies – Caritas Nepal has worked with local partners, cooperatives and volunteers to reach some of the country’s ten worst hit areas, including Gorkha and Sindupalchowk.

To date the Caritas Nepal-led response has reached more than 294,980 people, that 58,996 households with humanitarian assistance, including emergency shelter materials, water, and hygiene kits containing aquatabs, soap, washing detergent, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

In the village of Chandanimandan in Kavrepalanchowk, Mishri Nepal, 74, was thrown to the ground when the earthquake struck. She describes the experience as being like her soul leaving her body.

Rescued by members of her family, she and others in her village are receiving the aid they need to survive the monsoon rains.

Caritas Nepal is prioritising the distribution of corrugated iron sheeting (CGI) and in Kavrepalanchowk district 314 households – 1,570 people have currently received the iron sheeting so that they can reinforce their temporary shelters against the monsoon rains.

Mishri said:  “It’s not easy to reach us, the road is not smooth, but we thank Caritas Nepal for always coming and not forgetting us.”

Father Pius Perumana, Director of Caritas Nepal, said:  “As we mark the three month anniversary, Caritas Nepal and its partners are already planning for the longer term.

“We know that after the emergency phase we must make sure that people are supported to revive their means of earning a living, and reconstruction must involve houses being ‘built back better”.

“It’s not easy to hold onto hope when all around you there is destruction, but the Nepali people have been very resilient, and they have shown the spirit of cooperation and compassion between neighbours.

“It’s these expressions of charity that bring renewed hope to shattered lives.”

For further information or interviews, please contact Prakash Khadka on email: pknepole@gmail.com  or mobile: +977 9841507179