Shelter supplies reach rural Nepal

8' houses have been destroyed or badly damaged in the small village of Panchkhal in Karve. Credit: Matthieu Alexandre/Caritas

80 houses have been destroyed or badly damaged in the small village of Panchkhal in Karve. Credit: Matthieu Alexandre/Caritas

On 25 April, there was a sudden “big windy sound and shaking”. Wood and stone fell over 75 year old Buddhiman Danuwar in his home. He could not escape, but fortunately a search and rescue team from a nearby camp saved his life.

In his village of Panchkhal in Karve, 80 houses have been damaged, of which 20 are completely destroyed in what was the largest earthquake to hit Nepal in over 80 years.

Another survivor is Surmala Cholagai, a 26 year old woman. She was with her 4 year old son and her father-in-law when the earthquake struck and the roof of the house collapsed. Trapped in the rubble, they waited until the neighbours came to rescue them.

The first few days after the quake the child remained terrified – he could not eat or sleep. Until today Surmala and her child have spent the nights sleeping under a flimsy plastic sheet.

They have now received a tarpaulin provided by Caritas. She says the aid is ‘God sent’ and hopes there will be one for everyone without a home to return to.

Caritas has distributed tarpaulins for 1150 households in Kavre so far. More than food, there is high demand for tarpaulins in whole country as majority of houses are either fully damaged or partially cracked.

Caritas has distributed tarpaulins for 1150 households in Kavre so far. Credit Matthieu Alexandre/Caritas Internationalis

Caritas has distributed tarpaulins for 1150 households in Kavre so far. Credit Matthieu Alexandre/Caritas Internationalis

That has forced people to live out in the field without roofs under the sunny hot day and cold dewy night. The tarpaulins help to provide temporary shelter for those whose houses were destroyed by the earthquake.

Most of the villagers who have come to collect a tarpaulin are women. Many of the men from the village are working in the city or abroad. Receiving a tarpaulin, Tilaka Adhikari, 42 said, “It feels like God has come to help us. Thanks Caritas”.

As in Kavre, Caritas is helping thousands of villagers near the epicentre in Gordkha and Sindhupalanchowk and other periphery districts such as Nuwakot, Lamjung, Rasuwa, Dhadhing and Okheldhuga.

With the solidarity from Caritas organisations around the world, dozens of loaded trucks and air cargo are on their way to Nepal.

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