KATHMANDU, Nepal (May 12, 2015) — World Vision is working to assess potential impacts to already displaced children and communities following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake which struck just hours ago near Namche Bazar. The epicenter in Sindhulpalchowk District, located near the Chinese border, was already one of the worst-affected districts from the deadly 7.8 earthquake on April 25.
At this time all World Vision staff have been accounted for. With a shallow depth of 11 miles it shook already vulnerable structures, causing widespread panic as people in Kathmandu and nearby districts evacuated to open spaces. Reports of new deaths and injuries are being confirmed.
“We felt a very strong aftershock. I could see in the eyes of the people who experienced the first quake — they were just terrified. We all managed to get outside to safety. We are now trying to locate our staff — many are in the field working on our relief operations today. It is a reminder of how challenging this situation is for us all.” shares Jimmy Nadapdap, World Vision Nepal Earthquake Response Manager.
Staff working at the Kathmandu operations center felt the quake and safely evacuated outside. World Vision teams are currently reorganizing — checking the safety of staff and people in relief staging areas where dispatched teams are assisting beneficiaries. Relief distributions of food, blankets, tarps and GI sheets for roofing are ongoing and child friendly spaces serve as a refuge for hundreds of children.
Sunjuli Kunwar, World Vision staff in Kathmandu shares, “What we thought was an aftershock striking us continued as the ground just kept on shaking. It got so strong I dashed out and called our house to check on my son who was playing outside. A lot of people rushed to open spaces stalling traffic. Mobile phones lines were jammed. There’s chaos everywhere.”
World Vision’s Nepal Earthquake Emergency Response has reached at least 30,000 people to date — supporting the urgent needs of earthquake-affected families in the hardest-hit areas of Gorkha, Lamjung, Sindhuli, Sindhupalchowk and Kathmandu valley in the aftermath of the 7.8 earthquake on April 25. Aftershocks continue to hinder relief efforts and create further anxiety for already distressed earthquake-affected children and communities.
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World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.
Highlights
- At this time all World Vision staff have been accounted as safe following the quake.
- World Vision’s Nepal Earthquake Emergency Response has reached at least 30,000 people to date.
- Relief operations were shut down for the day, following the earthquake.