News

Human disaster brings about human stories. Saddening stories and stories of hope have been posted in various blogs where survivors – national and foreign have expressed their experiences of high octane emotions. With a staggering figure of 238 quakes of magnitude 4 and over from April 25 to May 16 and death toll reaching about 8500, more aid is coming to Nepal and more relief works are in the pipeline. Other highlights of the media coverage:

More Aid

Japan government has provided additional support to the earthquake affected by providing 1 million USD to UNFPA. UNFPA is using the aid to provide lifesaving interventions to women and adolescents. With this donation, UNFPA is:

• Procuring Reproductive Health Kits - designed to respond to three month's need for various population sizes. The kits contain all that is needed to enable clean delivery, treatment related to sexual violence, clinical delivery, treatment of sexually-transmitted infections, management of miscarriage, suture of tears and various contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies. 
• Distributing Dignity Kits - containing items such as clothes, sanitary napkins, flashlights and other essentials
• Working to help prevent sexual and gender-based violence - through the creation of women friendly spaces, the distribution of dignity kits, and prevention outreach activities to the survivors of violence by ensuring adequate supplies and trained health workers are in place; ensuring confidentiality and dignity of the women and girls involved; and promoting establishment of multi-sectoral support including health care through clinical management of rape, as well as psychosocial support and case management services along with legal aid, police and security assistance, and socioeconomic support.

Similarly, Red Cross (IFRC) has also trebled its aid support to the quake victims as reported by Republica.  

With the increasing aid and more pledge going on for donations to the affected, there are also concerns about the aid transparency as an individual on Twitter writes, “Rumour in Nepal: 90% of aid money goes to KTM government, local officials and project administration, only 10% goes to earthquake victims.”

Relief and Rebuilding Efforts Continue

Relief efforts have continued with development agencies working in tandem with the local agencies and the community people. UNICEF has distributed hygiene kits in Baluwa village in Gorkha, one of the earthquake-affected districts in Nepal. The bag contains soaps, toothbrushes, toothpastes, nail cutters, sanitary pads, towels, undergarments, mosquito nets, water purifier, cloth, hanging rope, combs and a water bucket. Similarly, WHO is also coordinating with MSF team to map existing resources to provide health services in Nuwakot.

With regards to long term support for the quake affected, the government has been asked to prepare a long term action plan for rehabilitation by the Development Committee of the parliament, Republica reports. In order to coordinate with international community as well as to retrieve and disseminate important information, government bodies have also joined Twitter to reach out in the public space post the earthquake incident.

To clean up the debris caused by the earthquake, clean up campaign has been started in Bhaktapur under the leadership of Chief Secretary, Setopati reports. The government has also made a decision regarding private hospitals with cracked buildings to seek approval from the government before resuming its services. Swastha Khabar Patrika reports that patients are not willing to be treated inside the Maternity Hospital building; prefer to be treated outside in the tent; risk of epidemic threat. The online portal has also published a very informative article with detailed description of causes of epidemics, diseases that could be spread and the prevention measures.

Stories of Sorrow and Message of Hope

Anup Kaphle shares a sorrowful story of the pain that people of Larpak, Gorkha are going through with the loss of lives and the loss of hope. Meanwhile, there are also some stories that bring about positivity as Peta Doherty via Sydney Morning Herald writes, “People in Nepal so hospitable despite death and devastation after earthquake - experiences near Langtang area.” Mercy Corps has been running a great campaign – requesting people to give their message of hope for the quake victims.