ASIA/NEPAL - A month ago the first earthquake in Nepal, and now the most current emergency is the arrival of the monsoon rains

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

Katmandhu (Agenzia Fides) - One month after the earthquake struck Nepal, the most current emergency is the arrival of the monsoon rains expected in a few weeks. Once the rains begin, it will be harder to reach remote areas, where the roads have been damaged, and where, as a result, people have been made more vulnerable.
A total of 1150 health facilities have been completely or partially damaged in 14 highly affected districts. The current health need is management of post trauma injuries, restoration of disrupted primary health care services and rehabilitation support to patients who are discharged from hospitals.
UNICEF estimats 70,000 children under five need urgent nutrition support so as to prevent a deterioration of children’s nutrition status. Around 15,000 children in 14 of the worst-hit districts will require therapeutic foods. Additionally, some 55,000 children with moderate acute malnutrition will require supplementary feeding.
According to a statement sent to Agenzia Fides, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is racing against time to reach remote villages with medical supplies and shelter material. Difficult logistics and terrain leave limited transport options, meaning MSF teams have to use helicopters to transport these materials to villages north and east of Kathmandu every day. In Gorkha district, 80 kilometres west of Kathmandu, MSF launched activities aimed at helping affected populations in need. MSF ran mobile clinics and supplied shelter and hygiene kits. In some villages, teams found houses and health facilities totally destroyed, prompting MSF to provide the people with medical, shelter and hygiene materials.
In Arughat, in Gorkha district, where the main health facility was destroyed, MSF set up an inflatable hospital. This continues to provide healthcare services to surrounding communities. Providing tents, tarpaulins, and construction material comprises the main focus of MSF’s intervention at this stage of the emergency. There is a need to ensure that people have a place to stay before the monsoon rains begin. The MSF teams have increased the number of trips by helicopter to reach as many people in the affected areas with shelter material. Where roads are accessible, MSF is using cars and lorries to distribute shelter and hygiene kits. To date, MSF has distributed shelter kits to over 10,000 households in remote villages. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 26/05/2015)


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