Concerns mount for children’s welfare as Nepal is hit by second major earthquake in two weeks
World Vision teams are assessing the impact of Nepal’s latest earthquake on children after a major tremor with a magnitude of 7.4 shook the country this morning.
The latest earthquake hit near the town of Namche Bazaar, near Mount Everest, two weeks after more than 8,000 died in a devastating quake.
Jimmy Nadapdap, World Vision Nepal Earthquake Response Manager said: "We felt a very strong aftershock. I could see in the eyes of the people who experienced the first quake - they were just terrified. We all managed to get outside to safety. We are now trying to locate our staff - many are in the field working on our relief operations today. It is a reminder of how challenging this situation is for us all."
Staff working at the Kathmandu operations center felt the quake and safely evacuated outside.
World Vision staffer in Kathmandu, Sunjuli Kunwar, said:"A lot of people rushed to open spaces stalling traffic. Mobile phones lines are jammed. There's chaos everywhere."
Meanwhile, World Vision teams will continue efforts to provide relief aid such as food, blankets, and tarpaulins to affected communities. The charity is also setting up and supporting children centers - known as child friendly spaces - which serve as a safety havens for hundreds of children.
World Vision's Nepal Earthquake Emergency Response has reached at least 30,000 people to date, supporting the urgent needs of earthquake-affected families in the hardest-hit areas of Gorkha, Lamjung, Sindhuli, Sindhupalchowk and Kathmandu valley.
Aftershocks continue to hinder relief efforts and create further anxiety for already distressed earthquake-affected children and communities.
For more information, pictures, case studies and interviews, please contact:
Henry Makiwa | Media Manager Strategy | World Vision UK |
Phone: +44 1908 244 446 | Mobile +44 (0)7469 154 268 |
Email: henry.makiwa@worldvision.org.uk
Brenda Yu | Social and Regional Media Officer | World Vision UK |
Phone: +44 1908 244 598 | Mobile: +44 (0) 7786 333 784 |
Email: brenda.yu@worldvision.org.uk