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Following the devastating impact of the massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday 25th April 2015, the Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission has agreed to make an initial donation of £40,000 to an appeal launched by the UK Disasters Emergency Committee to provide urgently needed emergency disaster relief to the people of Nepal.
The earthquake has affected large parts of Nepal, including toppling office blocks and towers in Kathmandu and triggering a deadly avalanche that hit Everest base camp. By Sunday afternoon over 2,200 people had been reported dead, making it the worst earthquake in the country in more than 80 years. In addition, at least 2,000 people have been injured.
The country’s hospitals are overwhelmed, with many patients being treated in the streets. Whilst rescue efforts are still underway it is feared that the death toll will rise further as rescuers dig through the rubble. Significant aftershocks continue including one of 6.7 on Sunday.
The DEC will work with their member charities that have an established presence in the areas of Nepal affected by the earthquake to ensure that the emergency relief and aid needed reaches the communities as soon as possible to address the following priorities as quickly as possible:
- Rescuing those trapped in buildings toppled by the impact of the massive earthquake and those caught up in the avalanches it triggered
- Treating those injured by the earthquake and avalanches
- Providing shelter, clean water, sanitation and food for those whose homes have been lost or severely damaged.
Deputy Mike O’Hara said: “In reaching the decision to make this donation, the Commissioners were very conscious that since news of this earthquake broke on Saturday morning every news report has seen the number of people killed and injured rise steadily. We are very aware that many of the communities most affected by the earthquake and associated avalanches are remote and difficult to reach under normal conditions and so the true impact of this disaster is unlikely to be known for some time.
"The Commissioners are also mindful that Nepal is a poor country, reliant on development aid for many of the services (water, sanitation, education and health care) that we take for granted. Through the Commission’s Grant Aid scheme, the people of Guernsey are currently supporting ten development projects in Nepal and this further underlines the devastating impact such a massive earthquake has on an already impoverished country.”
The Commission will continue to keep the unfolding situation in Nepal under close review and will consider making a further donation as the full impact of this massive earthquake becomes clearer.
