Nepal Earthquake: World Vision launches appeal, fears for remote areas

World Vision offices around the world have launched emergency appeals for the Nepal Earthquake, and as the death toll rises the humanitarian agency fears for those in remote regions.

Despite being in a highly earthquake prone region, many villages and cities in Nepal are simply not prepared for earthquakes of this magnitude, says Matt Darvas, a World Vision employee based in Nepal:

Despite being in a highly earthquake prone region, many villages and cities in Nepal are simply not prepared for earthquakes of this magnitude

“Villages in the areas affected near the epicentre are literally perched on the sides of large mountain faces and are made from simple stone and rock construction. Many of these villages are only accessible by 4WD and then foot, with some villages hours and even entire days walks away from main roads at the best of times. It will likely be helicopter access only for these remote villages.”

Reports of damage are starting to come in from these areas.

“Villages like this are routinely affected by landslides and it’s not uncommon for entire villages of 200, 300, up to 1000 people to be completely ‘buried’ by rock falls. We are slowly hearing reports that this may have been the case in villages in the Kaski and Gorkha regions,” says Darvas.

“Delivery medical assistance will also be a challenge. Health posts are often rudimentary in the village districts with limited services, and are not even always staffed by a registered doctor. Some villages rely on being able to access the health posts of surrounding villages. If they are ‘cut off’, it’s possible that entire villages are without medical assistance right now."

World Vision is on the ground in Nepal, and is beginning to assess the damage caused by the earthquake, so they can respond to the needs of affected people.

World Vision is on the ground in Nepal, and is beginning to assess the damage caused by the earthquake, so they can respond to the needs of affected people.

World Vision is planning to respond in its initial phase to 50,000 people, meeting their immediate needs including providing first aid kits, sleeping mats, blankets and jerry cans; temporary shelter; and protection for children.World Vision is setting up three Child Friendly Spaces so children have a safe space to play following the trauma of the quake.

Disaster management experts from World Vision’s operations around the region – including in neighboring India and Bangladesh - are on standby to provide relief assistance to the Nepal response. Some supplies were pre-positioned in Nepal, while others will be airlifted in from Dubai.