ASIA/NEPAL - First emergency measures in favor of the disabled people affected by the earthquake

Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) - The earthquake has brought destruction and death among the people of Nepal and, in these times of uncertainty, there is an alarming fact: the death rate of people with disabilities is twice that of the rest of population during natural disasters. This is what the non-profit organization CBM Italy reports to Agenzia Fides. "Being disabled in a developing Country means not having a future. Try to think what may be the effect of a devastating earthquake in the life of a blind or disabled child. The chaos and terror caused by natural disaster makes the living conditions of a disabled person even more dramatic", said Massimo Maggio, Director of CBM Italy Onlus.
Persons with disabilities are those exposed to the most dramatic risks during emergencies and natural disasters. They have difficulties to take shelter because most of first aid facilities are not accessible. They risk being excluded from the chain of humanitarian aid and the traditional emergency responses: food, clean water and health services. CBM has been active in Nepal for more than 30 years with 9 projects throughout the country: two eye clinics, nursing programs and prevention of hearing impairment, programs of Community Based Rehabilitation. Based on the information gathered to date, so far the eastern area of the country has not been damaged. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 27/04/2015)