(NEPAL) After an initial distribution of vital food assistance in five severely affected districts, World Renew has decided to currently focus its Nepal earthquake response on three districts: Gorkha, Nuwekot and Sindulpalchowk.

“In two villages where we distributed food, 95 percent of the houses were destroyed,” said World Renew International Relief Manager Pete Diepersloot, explaining how these three districts were selected. Not only did they all have extreme need, but they were also underserved by other organizations and were very receptive to World Renew’s assistance. “The distributions went very orderly and the people in the village were appreciative,” Diepersloot said.

The April 25th 7.8 earthquake that struck the nation of Nepal was the worst disaster the country experienced in 80 years. Approximately 90% of the homes near the epicenter of the earthquake were completely destroyed. Roads and other infrastructure were also damaged extensively.

On 12 May, a second 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal at 12:50 p.m. local time, this time in the Dolakha District. A total of 32 districts were affected, including those still recovering from the 25 April 7.8 magnitude earthquake.

“My heart aches for those affected again this second time” explains Grace Wiebe, Senior Program Manager. “For some who were just starting to get back to a sense of normal, it brought back all their fears again.”

Working with Christian Reformed World Missions and its partners, World Renew mounted an immediate food assistance response which was distributed through local churches. World Renew also sent five staff members to Nepal to assess needs and determine the best way to respond.

World Renew Senior Project Manager, Grace Wiebe together with International Relief Managers, Pete Diepersloot, Harry and Annie Bergshoeff arrived in Nepal in early May. They were joined by a Water and Sanitation consultant name Indra Moelyowat.

World Renew has set up a disaster response office in the capital of Kathmandu and has selected Gorkha, Nuwekot and Sindulpalchowk as its target communities for the next stage of emergency assistance. By focusing its efforts World Renew will be able to have a great impact on affected families. This also reduces the risk of overlapping with other disaster response organizations in the region.

The next stage of World Renew’s response includes:

  • Food assistance including rice, lentils, oil and Nutrila (a soya bean based product)
  • Tarps and ropes for temporary shelter
  • Plastic buckets containing a hygiene kit with bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, towel, feminine products, laundry soap and comb
  • Tents and blankets to protect people from the approaching monsoon
  • Water, sanitation and hygiene (filters, purification tablets, hygiene training)

As a member of Integral Alliance, World Renew is coordinating efforts with other Integral Alliance members like MAP by airlifting medical supplies to the region to treat the health needs of 10,000 people for three months.

World Renew is looking at addressing longer-term needs such as the reconstruction of homes and the restoration of livelihoods, as funding permits. This phase of the response will focus on an even narrower geographic region that has yet to be identified.

“We are humbled by and very grateful for the generous outpouring of support for the response in Nepal” explains Ken Kim, World Renew’s Director of Disaster Response and Rehabilitation. “It has enabled us to reach severely affected families with life saving assistance. Please consider supporting this response.”