Fears of an escalating death toll in Nepal are growing as access to some of the worst affected areas nearest the epicentre of Saturday’s earthquake remain inaccessible to relief workers, World Vision said today.
“There has been massive destruction of roads and trails that provide the only access to the remote areas near the epicentre making relief work nearly impossible,” said World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello from Bangkok.
Aftershocks in the last 24 hours have also forced Nepalese authorities to turn back flights carrying relief workers and supplies, including Mr Costello’s flights.
Disaster management specialists from World Vision’s Australia, India, Bangladesh, and Singapore operations were dispatched to Nepal over the weekend to bolster the agency’s capacity to respond to the disaster.
“Thankfully some members of World Vision’s rapid response team arrived on the weekend and have been assessing the damage in remote rural areas,” Mr Costello said.
However grave fears are now held for the many communities that still haven’t been reached since the earthquake on Saturday he said.
“It has been reported that children have been separated from their parents, and many people are being forced to sleep in the streets. As time passes there is a strong likelihood that those who have critical injuries will not survive. Every second counts.”
It has been reported that more than 4,200 have been killed in the worst earthquake to hit the area in 80 years, with more than 7,500 injured.
In Nepal, World Vision Communications Officer Matt Darvas told of seeing babies born in the open as health centres struggle with the immense need and dangerous aftershocks.
“They are afraid to go inside with aftershocks continuing - several women gave birth in the sun outside on the grass lying on nothing more than ‘yoga mats’, Mr Darvas said.
The humanitarian agency will meet the immediate needs of 100,000 people providing water, temporary shelter, sleeping mats, blankets, hygiene kits, cooking kits and other essential relief supplies, as well supporting health and child protection activities.. This will include setting up Child Friendly spaces so that children have a safe place to play following the distress of the quake. World Vision will respond in the worst-affected areas of Lamjung, Gorkha, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kathmandu Districts.
To donate to World Vision Australia’s Nepal Earthquake Appeal call 13 32 40 or visit www.worldvision.com.au/nepal-earthquake
For interviews with World Vision staff in Nepal and in Australia contact:
Kayla Robertson: +61 (0) 418 762 926 orkayla.robertson@worldvision.com.au
Gabrielle Brophy: +61 (0) 407 575 112 orgabrielle.brophy@worldvision.com.au