Singapore, 18 May 2015 – Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has stepped up relief efforts in quake-hit Nepal. The nation was struck by two major earthquakes in the last 3 weeks and SRC staff and volunteers have been on the ground since 28 April to provide medical and relief aid. To date, 7 staff and 20 volunteers have been deployed to Nepal.
Distribution of relief items in full swing
On Sunday 17 May, 300 kilograms of medical supplies donated by Gold Plus International and water filtration kits were shipped to Nepal. 500 water filtration kits, also known as Fieldtrate Lites, will be distributed to the affected communities in collaboration with Singapore NGO, Relief.SG. Fieldtrate Lite is a light and portable water filtration kit, capable of producing clean water within minutes without the addition of any chemicals.
SRC is also working with local partners like Nepal Red Cross to distribute other relief items. One of the priorities is to help the villagers with a more permanent shelter option. Working with a local Nepalese NGO, SRC is providing corrugated sheets and shelter kits to up to 800 families in Sindhupalchuk, one of the worst hit areas. With the monsoon coming, there is an urgent need for shelter for these families.
In addition, SRC is working with another local NGO to distribute nine truckloads of food packs to 1000 families in the Dolakha, Ramechhap and Sindhupalchuk districts. Each pack consists of 30kg of rice, 5kg of Dhal and 1kg or salt. The distribution of the food relief packs commenced on 17 May.
These relief efforts are in addition to SRC’s initial disbursement of S$200,000 worth of relief items (including food and non-food items) and emergency supplies.
SRC medical teams continue to provide care
Singapore Red Cross Medical Teams continue to provide primary medical and emergency care in Bidur, Nuwakot, about 3-4 hours drive out of Kathmandu, at the field hospital established by Qatar Red Crescent. The SRC medical teams have been in Nepal since 1 May 2015, and plan to continue operating till the end of May before handing over operations to local medical personnel. However, SRC will continue to assess the need for medical services in the coming days before deciding if an extension of medical services is necessary. To date, 4 medical teams have been deployed and 1 more team will arrive in Nepal on Wednesday, 20 May. The medical team has been seeing 200-300 patients a day.
Discussion on recovery projects underway
The SRC coordinating team based in Kathmandu has started discussions with Nepal Red Cross and other partners on possible projects for the recovery stage. This includes providing psycho-social support for the survivors of the earthquake and a back-to-school pack for the affected children.
The public appeal launched on 28 April has collected S$6.5 million to date.
To make a donation, please visit www.redcross.sg
Notes:
- Donations to overseas relief are not entitled to tax deduction.
- The Singapore Red Cross reserves the right to deploy excess funds to underfunded disasters in the same region, so as to ensure humanitarian aid gets to those in need.