ID :
413318
Sat, 07/30/2016 - 21:47
Auther :

QRCS Launches Humanitarian Intervention to Relieve Victims of Nepal Floods

Doha, July 30 (QNA) - In immediate response to the humanitarian tragedy in Nepal, particularly the southern parts hit by floods and landslides, Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) allocated $30,000 from its Disaster Response Fund to provide shelter solutions for the affected communities. Also, it will distribute around 17 tons of medical aid contributed by Qatar's Ministry of Public Health, at a total cost of $550,000, in support of the medical sector of Nepal, QRCS press release said. Once the disaster was reported, QRCS activated its Disaster Management Information Center (DMIC) to start assessment, updating, and data gathering, in preparation for a comprehensive relief intervention plan to meet the most urgent needs of the affected people. In the monsoon season, Nepal has been swept by strong floods and consequent severe landslides. Initial statistics indicate 111 killed, 21 missed, dozens wounded, more than 9,000 families affected, and 1,200 houses totally or partly damaged. At the same time, the landslides blocked main roads and destroyed many bridges, which resulted in besieging thousands of families in the stricken areas and making it difficult to deliver relief aid to them. According to Nepal's Natural Disaster Rescue Committee, there are nearly 2,000 towns affected by floods and landslides. Most of these populations are at risk of displacement, as their homes were largely ruined, amid continued heavy rainfall for weeks to come. Early assessment processes are still in progress by QRCS personnel in the plagued areas, in coordination with local partners, especially in the isolated areas. International humanitarian organizations and national authorities in Nepal expect a quick rise in the numbers of injuries and deaths. For the time being, urgent shelter solutions (e.g. tents, tarpaulins, blankets, mattresses) are the top priority of response. A draft humanitarian response scheme will be developed once the assessment process is complete, probably within 48 hours at most. QRCS has had an office in Nepal since April 2015, upon an destructive earthquake. Its intervention involved operating the Emergency Mobile Hospital in Nuwakot District and the KIT 5 water supply unit in Sindhupalchok District, distributing food packages and nonfood items, and procuring 59 power generators for vital facilities within the early days if disaster. These efforts benefited a total number of 50,000 people. (QNA)

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