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Coming monsoon poses challenges on Nepal earthquake relief operation 200 UNICEF staff on the ground, focusing on providing shelter and water

2015-04-29

HONG KONG, 29 April 2015 — Five days after the most severe earthquake struck Nepal in the past eight decades, UNICEF and international partners are racing against time to save vulnerable children and their families before the monsoon season typically begins in mid-June – a serious adverse impact on the affected is foreseeable. Millions of people spent days outdoor already. 200 UNICEF staff are on the ground to support the relief work with focuses on shelter and water sanitation which have been identified as some of the most pressing needs. More public donation is required to meet the evolving need.

On 28 April, children, some filling water bottles, get drinking water from workers in a truck, during a distribution in a camp for people displaced by the massive earthquake, in Kathmandu, the capital. On 28 April 2015 in Nepal, search, rescue and relief operations continue in the aftermath of the massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the country on 25 April. The quakes epicentre was 80 kilometres from Kathmandu, the capital. At least 3,351 people have been killed, 6,833 have been injured, and 8 million people in 39 districts have been affected. The Government has declared a state of emergency in 35 affected districts in the country, where more than 1.3 million people over half of whom are children are affected by the disaster. Homes and vital infrastructure, including hospitals, have been severely damaged or destroyed, leaving thousands of children and families homeless, vulnerable and in urgent need of food, shelter, safe water and sanitation, and health support. Over 1.4 million people are in need of food assistance. Most of the displaced are sheltering in camps or in available open spaces. The situation has been exacerbated by continuing powerful aftershocks that have caused additional damage. Working with the Government and other partners, including fellow United Nations organizations, UNICEF is supporting water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, nutrition, child protection, education and other interventions. In response to the disaster, UNICEF is providing hospitals tents, tarpaulin sheeting, emergency medical kits, vaccines and related supplies, zinc and oral rehydration salts to prevent diarrhoeal disease outeaks, and temporary learning spaces and psychosocial counselling for children. UNICEF is also procuring emergency health kits and is supporting water trucking services in camps for the displaced.

Administering shelter for vulnerable women and children is UNICEF’s top priority. We are distributing tents to families and also to hospitals where thousands of people are waiting to be treated. Post-earthquake disease outeak is another looming concern; UNICEF will continue our effort on providing access of clean water to prevent diseases like diarrhea. More tents, tarpaulins, Measles Rubella vaccines as well as emergency medical kits are being procured offshore to support this mission through UNICEF Supply Division located at Copenhagen. Those supplies would help stave off water-bound diseases for affected families.

Ms Judy Chen, Chairman of the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF HK) calls for public donations to support UNICEF’s emergency relief operation in Nepal, "It has been five days after the tragedy, children continue to sleep outdoor. Increased anxiety and fears are common among children who experienced earthquake in such size. They need a proper shelter. A proper shelter can help rebuild the traumatized children’s sense of security. UNICEF HK has raised over HK$3 million for the mission. Much more support is needed. Join us now to protect Nepali children against the trauma.”

To help children and families affected by the earthquake in Nepal, please make online donation at unicef.org.hk/donate.

Donation for Nepal Earthquake

Online donation:	/donate
Direct Bank-in:	HSBC: 567-354014-005
	Bank of China: 012-875-0-021868-3
	Wing Lung Bank: 020-601-003-7634-8
	Bank of East Asia: 015-260-81-012100
Hotline:	2833 6139

(In the unusual event that donations for Nepal Earthquake exceed the needs, we will direct your gift to disaster or emergency relief actions elsewhere.)

Donate NOW to support Nepal Earthquake response

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For more information please contact:

Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF

Jamie Wong, Communication Specialist	Tel / Mobile: 2836 2967 / 6149 3378	Email: [email protected]