April 27, 2015 Nepal

Caritas teams in Nepal affected by earthquake

Several Caritas teams already work in Nepal affected on 25 April 2016 by a big earthquake. Besides local Caritas Nepal, whose members provide earthquake victims food and provisional shelters, CRS (Catholic Relief Services), and rescue teams from Caritas Australia and Caritas New Zealand along with CAFOD of England were working on the field. Caritas Czech Republic have also joined this worldwide “charity family”, opening on Sunday a public collection and releasing for an immediate relief an amount of CZK 200,000 as well.

Drinking water, food and provisional accommodation are most needed on the site according to sources in Kathmandu. The rescue teams of foreign Caritas have reached Kathmandu with this equipment. For example, affiliated CRS  imported blankets there and have released USD 725,000 (more than CZK 18,000,000). Staff from Caritas Australia who had worked in the region before the earthquake are present there.

Caritas Czech Republic will join the first phase of aid distribution. According to Lukáš Laube money will be disbursed and “used for buying food pockets, sanitary pockets and also medicines for the chronically ill. If the gains make it possible, we will intend providing psychosocial aid on the site.” He elaborated further and mentioned that materials would be sourced locally in order to reduce unnecessary transport costs. Mr Laube also added that there was no immediate need to dispatch employees to the site as “the presence of affiliated Caritas agents on the site gives us a sufficient guarantee of activities. We are members of the global charity family and are used to providing aid.”

Nepal was hit by a destructive earthquake which measured at 7.9 on the Richter Scale. The disaster claimed several thousand victims, injured many more and caused massive material damages. The earthquake is thought to be the worst in Nepal for the last 80 years.

Caritas Czech Republic have opened a public collection, the account no: 55660022/0800 with Česká spořitelna company, variable symbol 107.

At the same time, the Caritas released from its funds amounting to CZK 200,000 for immediate aid.

Czech donors have contributed with the amount of CZK 192,405 this morning.

You can also help sending a donation SMS “DMS CHARITASVET“ to the number 87 777 (the cost of DMS is CZK 30. Caritas Czech Republic receives CZK 28.50, the service is administered by Donors Forum.)