SAPTAKOSHI DISASTER RELIEF

Urgent call for support

The recent Sapatakoshi river flood has caused catastrophic damage to lives, livelihoods and infrastructure to an already fragile part of Nepal. According to Red-cross (Nepal), around 54,000 people in the Kusaha, Haripur, Shreepur, Loukahi, and Bhokraha Village Development Committees (VDC) of Sunsari district are displaced.

Thousands of displaced people are taking shelter in the camps setup in the area. However, official fear that an epidemic might break in these camps as hundreds of people are already suffering from pneumonia and high fever. It is also reported that two of them have already died with more than two dozen in critical condition. Making things worse, according to Kantipur (news daily), women at flood-victim camps are facing risk of sexual harassment and exploitation. Pregnant women and nursing mothers in the camp are not getting nutritious food and are compelled to sleep in the cold and wet floor. According to doctors, lack of safe-drinking water, sanitation, bedding, food, and inadequate medicines is triggering the hazard inside the camps.

Furthermore, bridges and culverts have collapsed. Land and mobile phone networks have been out of service for two days and are only gradually being repaired. Drinking water and electricity supplies, schools and public buildings are destroyed. Local reports state that thousands of people are still located in the inundated area and waiting for rescue.

Local organizations, INGOs, UN agencies and government officials have started relief distribution but given the catastrophic scenario, present relief operation is not enough. There is an urgent need for all of us to help so that communities in Sapatakoshi can survive.

Sahayeta.Org is asking for support from family, friends, and humanitarians to please contribute to this disaster relief effort. Please got to http://www.sahayeta.org to make your contributions.

Contributions will be transferred to :

 Account holder               : Nepal Red Cross Society, National Headquarters

 Bank Name                   : Standard Chartered Bank Nepal Ltd

 Saving Account Number  : 18-000 2089-58    

 Swift Code                     : SCBLNPKA