The worst earthquake in 80 years has hit Nepal: buildings are flattened, thousands are injured, the death toll has exceeded 1000 and is rising. The earthquake was felt as far as India, Bangladesh and Tibet – with some fatalities in those areas too.
The worst earthquake in 80 years has hit Nepal: buildings are flattened, thousands are injured, the death toll has exceeded 1000 and is rising. The earthquake was felt as far as India, Bangladesh and Tibet – with some fatalities in those areas too.
Oxfam is there and assessing critical humanitarian needs.
Cecilia Keizer, Oxfam country director in Nepal, said the level of damage was still emerging: “People are gathered in their thousands in open spaces, it’s cold and dark and they are scared to go into their houses as there have been over 50 aftershocks. Some areas are in absolute ruin.
“Communication is very challenging. Telephone lines are down and electricity has been cut off making charging mobile phones difficult. Water is also cut off.”
Oxfam has a highly experienced team in Nepal, with over 25 years working in the country, helping people improve their livelihoods and realise their rights alongside local organisations.
Oxfam India Humanitarian Response Manager, Zubin Zaman, is on standby to go to Nepal if needed, he said: “The first step in an emergency like this is getting clean water to people who need it most, helping to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases and other health risks which turn one terrible disaster into another.
“As we’ve seen time and again, in emergencies like this the poor are hit the hardest. Given the apparent severity of this earthquake and the poverty in Nepal, any response is likely to be significant, and long term.”
“We’ve been working all day and all night to make sure we to get the full picture of the situation and coordinate with other aid agencies to make sure all the urgent needs of those worst affected are met. We’ll know more in the coming hours, but given the level of poverty in-country already, this is grim news for the people of Nepal.”
Oxfam is accepting donations for our disaster response emergency fund online at oxfam.org.nz or by phoning 0800 600 700.
Photo: Shristi Rajbhandari
Posted by Oxfam NZ on Tuesday, 28 April 2015
