New Delhi: Caritas teams from around the world are all set to reach out to some 50,000 families in four districts worst affected by the recent earthquake.
A 22-member team comprising people from Australia, Austria, Germany, India and US is working under the aegis of Caritas Nepal, reported Anjan Bag, who is leading the five-member Indian team.
Divided into four sub-groups, Caritas is doing a rapid assessment to take relief to the most affected in the hard-hit districts of Gorkha, Nawakot, Sindhupal chowk and Kavre.
Newspapers in Nepal reported of victims waiting for relief in Gorkha, one of the most affected districts and Caritas hopes to reach them on time, Bag said.
The earthquake hit Nepal a little before noon on April 25, and within six days the Caritas network has reached food, tents and blankets to 4,000 families in Kathmandu valley alone. In the coming days, the team hopes to widen their reach primarily to support 50,000 families with tarpaulins for make shift shelters and WASH kits in all the four districts.
The India team planned to visit Gorkha district Thursday, the epicenter of the earthquake that has claimed over 5,500 lives so far. With road connectivity disrupted, the team is prepared for a four-hour walk over the hills of the Himalayan country.
“Our team might have to stay back in one of the villages,” Bag reported to their New Delhi office.
In India, Caritas is working on fund mobilization. Many organizations and individuals including the youth have offered to volunteer with Caritas in this mission.
In an appeal released on April 28, Caritas India Executive Director Fr. Frederick D’Souzahas requested every Indian to donate with compassionate heart.
He has promised that the fund sent to Caritas will be utilized for efficient delivery of services with primary focus to the most needy. “This will be ensured by the deputed team of experts with experience in emergency responses from the recent Uttarakhand and Kashmir floods, in addition to 12 other major emergencies Caritas India responded to since 1970,” the Delhi archdiocesan priest said.