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Lutheran Disaster Response

Nepal Earthquake: 2 years later

On April 25, 2015, around 11:55 a.m. local time, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Nepal, with its epicenter approximately 43 miles from its capital city, Kathmandu. The earthquake was felt around the whole country, but the Kathmandu valley and western region of the country were hit hardest.

On May 12, 2015, just a little more than two weeks later, around 12:50 p.m. local time, another earthquake struck Nepal approximately 47 miles northeast of its capital, Kathmandu – an area already affected by the April 25 earthquake. The 7.3-magnitude earthquake, while still considered an aftershock of the previous quake, was followed by several strong aftershocks that continued to be felt in the region. More than 8,460 people were killed and more than 480,000 homes damaged or destroyed.

From the very beginning, Lutheran Disaster Response has been working with a network of partners who are actively engaged with communities on the ground. Within days of the first and second earthquake, resources were mobilized. In an interview, Dr. Prabin Manandhar, the Country Director for the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Nepal and a native of the country, said, “The earthquake happened at 11:55 a.m. and I was in the office by 2 o’clock.” Immediate distribution of ready-to-eat food, blankets, and hygiene kits was provided to households. Water filtration units and personal care kits were also a priority in the beginning stages of recovery.

Being dedicated to more than just the immediate recovery,  cash-for-work programs were initiated for debris cleanup and water maintenance. Small grants and training for self-help groups were organized and training in agriculture, livestock support and income generation took place in rural areas. Because much of the land was disrupted by the earthquake, support was given to farmers with seed distribution, irrigation projects, and soil management. Ten mini tractors were also supplied.

Now, 2 years later, we are still working with The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), United Mission to Nepal (UMN), Shanti Nepal and Lutheran World Relief (LWR), helping to rebuild communities and improve lives. While recovery of physical property is important for the safety of families who were affected by the earthquakes, care for the all-around well-being of those impacted is something that cannot be overlooked. “Before any of us, it is the people saving people. That happens not when you have resilient buildings,” Dr. Manandhar said. ” That happens when you have resilient people.” To that end, Lutheran Disaster Response continues to engage in many forms.

  • Rebuilding homes*
    • 100 homes in the Shankarapur municipality
    • 170 homes in the Lamjung District
  • WASH
    • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
  • Livelihood Projects
    • Educational opportunities, bee-keeping, etc.
    • Social Empowerment
  • Rebuilding Schools
    • 9 Learning centers consisting of 14 buildings
  • Health (Shanti Nepal Hospital)
    • Upgrading facilities for disaster preparedness
    • expanding maternity ward
    • New emergency ward/equipment and outpatient facilities

*Most of our rebuilding efforts are being focused on the Dalit community in Nepal. The Dalit community is the lowest caste in the Hindu caste system and tends to be more vulnerable than other communities.

In devotions the morning of the anniversary, Rev. Y. Franklin Ishida, Area Director for Asia and the Pacific, said, “Sighing is an expression of uncontrolled letting go. In Nepal, the sighs of the people are heard, by us and by others.” Thanks to the generosity of individuals and congregations all across this church, Lutheran Disaster Response is responding to the sighs of the people by investing $2.1 million in the second phase of recovery.

In a world full of groaning or sighing, we are thankful for the opportunity to accompany the people of Nepal through their sighs of suffering and pray that we all are opened to God’s sighs of hope and new birth. As a church, we have been and will continue to walk with our siblings in Nepal, responding to the needs of our neighbors.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by the earthquakes, especially as they work to rebuild their homes and lives. Pray for staff that will work alongside survivors in communities affected.

Give

Your gifts are still needed. Gifts designated for the “Nepal Area Earthquake” will be used in full (100 percent) to assist those directly impacted until the response is complete. Gifts from people like you allow us to continue to serve those in need.

Connect

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

  • Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
  • Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
  • Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.

All photos by ACT/ Paul Jeffrey

Nepal Earthquake: One Year Later

LDR-1Year-Nepal-0413 1On April 25, 2015, around 11:55 a.m. local time, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Nepal, with its epicenter approximately 43 miles from its capital city, Kathmandu. The earthquake was felt around the whole country, but the Kathmandu valley and western region of the country were hit hardest.

On May 12, 2015, just a little more than two weeks later, around 12:50 p.m. local time, another earthquake struck Nepal approximately 47 miles northeast of its capital, Kathmandu – an area already affected by the April 25 earthquake. The 7.3-magnitude earthquake, while still considered an aftershock of the previous quake, was followed by several strong aftershocks that continue to be felt in the region.

More than 8,460 people were killed and more than 480,000 homes damaged or destroyed. As a church, we have been and will continue to walk with our sisters and brothers of Nepal, responding to the needs of our neighbor.

Our Response:

Emergency Relief

Relief aid was provided to people within days of the first and second earthquakes. Immediate distribution of ready-to-eat food, blankets and hygiene kits were provided to households. Water filtration units and personal care kits were also a priority in the beginning stages of recovery.

Agriculture and Development

Many families were poor before the disaster, but the earthquakes have tipped some into absolute poverty. Cash-for-work programs have been initiated for debris cleanup and water maintenance. Small grants and training for self-help groups are being organized. Training in agriculture, livestock support and income generation is taking place in rural areas. Because much of the land was disrupted by the earthquake, support has been given to farmers with seed distribution, irrigation projects and soil management. Ten mini tractors have also been supplied.

Shelter

The earthquakes destroyed or damaged more than 500,000 homes. The timing of the earthquakes meant that reconstruction of housing, a most pressing need, could not take place before the annual monsoon season. Emergency shelter kits were distributed and people constructed temporary shelters. Now, people are ready to reconstruct their homes and want to learn how to make them earthquake resistant. Masons are being taught earthquake resistant techniques, technical support is being given and grants for reconstruction are being distributed. By working together, we will build back better.

Health and Education

The Shanti Nepal primary health clinic provided emergency medical treatment after the earthquakes. Although the clinic is in need
of improvements, it is meeting some initial health care needs in communities. Support is being provided with repairs, training and equipment. Rebuilding and repairing is also taking place at Elim Kids Academy, a Christian school that the ELCA helps support by providing scholarships and teacher training programs. Temporary learning centers have been set up in areas until the government is able to rebuild schools.

Looking Ahead:

Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to helping communities in Nepal be resilient to future disasters. This will happen through education and capacity building, income generating trainings and activities, progressive farming techniques and methods, access to and reconstruction of safe and secure permanent housing, and uplifting gender justice, human dignity and advocacy.

As a church, we are often present where others are not – reaching out to the “least of these.” In response and recovery efforts to the Nepal earthquakes, special attention has been given to people living with disabilities, ethnic minorities,  women and children.

Your gifts made it possible for our church to respond – bringing help, hope and healing to our Nepal neighbors. But they still need your help. By working together, we can do far more than we ever could alone.

Be a part of the response:

Pray

Continue to pray for the people affected by the earthquakes, especially as they work to rebuild their homes and lives. Pray for staff that will work alongside survivors in communities affected.

Give

Your gifts are still needed. Gifts designated for the “Nepal Area Earthquake” will be used in full (100 percent) to assist those directly impacted until the response is complete. Gifts from people like you allow us to continue to serve those in need.

Connect

To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:

  • Share this resource  and bulletin insert with your congregation to inform and encourage support.
  • Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
  • Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
  • Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.

Nepal: Fire Displaces About 6,000 Bhutanese Refugees

A March 22 fire broke out in the Nepalese refugee camps of Goldhap and Sanischare displacing about 6,000 Bhutanese refugees. The ELCA, through its World Hunger program, supports human rights advocacy and development in the region. For more information please read this partial report from Marceline P Rozario, Lutheran World Federation Country Representative for Nepal. Let us pray for those who have been affected by this tragedy that the Lord may keep them safe, calm their fears and give strength to those who seek to meet their needs.

———

Dear friends,

About 6,000 Bhutanese refugees, including women and children, were rendered homeless yesterday (Tuesday) after a deadly fire that broke out in Goldhap and Sanischare camps. This is the second deadly outbreak of fire in Gholdap camp in the last three years.

Nearly six hours after a massive fire swept through Gholdap camp of Jhapa, gutting down 516 huts and displacing about 3,500 Bhutanese refugees, another deadly fire on the same day broke out in Sanishchare camp of Morang, burning down 200 huts to ashes and leaving around 2,500 Bhutanese refugees displaced. At least 29 refugees were injured in a stampede triggered by the fire in Gholdhap. No case of injury has been reported in Sanishchare camp.

The fire destroyed Gholdhap camp about two weeks before its planned merger with another refugee camp in Beldangi. Following the departure of many refugees for third country resettlement program initiated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR), Gholdap camp was all set to be merged with Beldangi.

Most of the refugees could not save their properties because the fire, triggered by a cooking gas leak in one of the huts, swiftly swept through Gholdap camp. The fire was spurred by forceful wind. It took nearly four hours for locals, refugees. agency staffs and firefighters to douse the fire.

All refugees, displaced by the fire, have been kept in nearby schools. The fire has partly damaged local offices of the UNHCR and the World Food Program (WFP), In Sanischare camp, apart from refugees´ huts, offices of Camp Management Committee (CMC), Refugee Coordination Unit (RCU) and Reconciliation Center have been badly damaged. The office of Lutheran World Federation has also been partly damaged.

We are holding urgent meetings with all agencies including the government. We shall inform you about our actions in this emergency.

Best regards.

Marceline

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