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 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.

In late February and early March, a profusion of strong winds, tornadoes and flood waters ripped through the southeastern region of the United States. The severe weather has left thousands in need of assistance. More than 35,000 have registered for FEMA assistance in Louisiana alone.

Through congregations, synods and Upbring (formerly known as Lutheran Social Services of the South), our disaster affiliate organization, Lutheran Disaster Response is working to assist those who have been affected by the flooding.

Or coordinator, Jessica Vermilyea, said, “Many families woke during the night to discover water in their homes, flooded vehicles and having to leave everything behind. The literal darkness of that experience, combined with the fear of their unknown futures, weighs heavily on each of them.”

Meet Nikki

Nikki’s husband lives with Crohn’s disease and her daughter is expecting her first child any day now. She told me that she is doing what she can each and every day to help her family get back on their feet. Because Nikki’s home was not located in a flood zone, she did not carry flood insurance and remains hopeful there will be federal assistance to help meet her needs, but fears it won’t be enough. Currently, her family is living with relatives and trying to salvage what they can. Nikki’s biggest concern at the moment, is making sure her new grandbaby will have a safe place to come home to. She is very thankful for the help she’s receiving and prays for continued strength and guidance.

There are many more, like Nikki, which have lost almost everything, and are fearful of not being able to recover. We will continue to monitor the situation until long-term recovery needs are become more defined and the community’s efforts to address long term recovery of survivors are more organized. We will then know how we will work with our many partners in the community to accompany survivors to rebuild their lives and achieve their “New Normal.” We will share those details with you as they become available.

In the meantime, Volunteers are needed now in both Louisiana and Texas, to assist with gutting and clean-up work from the recent flooding.

Groups interested in volunteering in Louisiana can contact Jessica Vermilyea by email at Jessica.Vermilyea@upbring.org or by phone at 504-376-9121.

For groups interested in volunteering in Texas, please contact the VRC listed below.

Deweyville VRC Location (serving Orange County):

Deweyville High School

171 TX-12 Orange, TX 77632

409.233.7872

deweyvillevrc@gmail.com

Be a part of the response:

Your gifts to respond to these U.S. spring storms through Lutheran Disaster Response will work to bring God’s hope, healing and renewal to those who have been affected.

Gifts designated for U.S. Spring Storms will be used in full (100 percent) until the response is complete to help disaster survivors recover and rebuild their lives. Your generous offerings of prayer and financial support will help address the unmet needs of those affected.

Join me in prayer and partnership, and use this bulletin insert in your congregation to help spread the word and support those who need rest.

As you begin to make plans for future mission trips for rebuild groups, please keep these areas in mind.