SILVER SPRING, MD (November 22, 2023) – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has scaled up its National Emergency Management Plan (NEMP) to assist Nepali survivors affected by multiple powerful earthquakes that have struck the country since October 3.
Strong seismic activity has left a trail of devastation in the country, with the most recent quake, measuring 6.4 on November 3, hitting the Jajarkot and Rukum districts of the Karnali province. According to local authorities, the natural disaster killed over 155 people, injured hundreds more and displaced over 10,000 people. Furthermore, nearly 45,000 structures and residences were destroyed or severely damaged. ADRA emergency response workers describe the scene on the ground when they arrived:
“It was heartbreaking to see the devastation. Every other house is badly damaged, and people are still very worried and scared as earthquakes continue to occur here. Residents can no longer occupy their homes and are living outside in shelters made of whatever they can find. They were so pleased to receive the emergency shelter kits as any protection from the cold weather is essential during this difficult time.”
ADRA está trabajando con el municipio local para priorizar la ayuda y evaluar las comunidades más afectadas y vulnerables.
“El equipo de respuesta a catástrofes de ADRA está centrado en proporcionar ayuda para salvar vidas, incluyendo kits de refugio de emergencia y asistencia médica. La larga presencia de ADRA en Nepal y su significativa experiencia en ayuda en catástrofes garantizan una respuesta rápida y eficaz a esta emergencia“, dice Elizabeth Tomenko, directora de programas de emergencia de ADRA. “Estamos preocupados por los miles de personas y familias que siguen sin un lugar donde vivir a medida que se acerca el invierno. Garantizar que la gente tenga acceso a suministros de emergencia para mantenerse caliente y bien es el principal objetivo de ADRA. Planeamos extender nuestro apoyo al gobierno local para proporcionar kits de ayuda para la preparación para el invierno, suministros médicos y asistencia para reconstruir las instalaciones médicas dañadas.”
For more than 30 years, ADRA has been implementing development projects and emergency aid in Nepal. The global humanitarian agency remains committed to working with local partner organizations to evaluate the current situation and make plans for offering psychosocial support, help with livelihood and home repairs, and sanitation services to guarantee the resilience of the region’s well-being in the face of this tragedy.
Visite ADRA.org para apoyar los esfuerzos de ayuda en catástrofes y obtener más información sobre la misión global de la organización.