At last report, there are over 400 known human deaths and over 1,400 people missing after the raging wall of water as much as 4-stories high smashed through villages and towns on the Nepal Tibet border. Over 1,200 children are among those directly affected. The size of the clean-up and cost of rebuilding the homes, schools, bridges and other community facilities destroyed by this tsunami-like flash flood is gargantuan. After consultation between our Kathmandu Children’s Home staff and the grassroots partners and collaborators with whom we worked in providing relief and support after the massive earthquake in Nepal in 2015, we have decided to begin collecting funds to provide support to the survivors of this horrific cataclysm. Ganesh and I will be travelling to Nepal in three weeks as part of a previously planned trip to visit all our Homes and will be working with our staff to be sure that the funds raised go directly to those who need them the most.
Here below is a message from our Kathmandu Home Manager Dhruba about the flood;
“NAMASTE!
We know many of you have been concerned and reaching out to ask about our safety and the situation in Nepal. We want to begin by expressing our deepest gratitude for your care and unwavering support. We are deeply moved by the messages of concern flooding in from all of you. Please know that your kindness gives us strength during this difficult time.
All Child Haven Nepal family members in Kathmandu—our children, and staff are safe and well. Our facilities have not been impacted by the floods.
However, the devastating floods have severely affected the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Gorkha. While Kathmandu remains untouched, the destruction in these areas is immense. Some of our children come from these very districts, and we are currently working around the clock to reach out to their families back home. Communication lines are down, roads are blocked, and access is extremely limited, but we are doing everything possible to establish contact and assess their needs.
We want to be honest with you: this is not a small-scale disaster. Homes, farmlands, livestock, and livelihoods have been swept away. Families are grieving, displaced, and facing an uncertain future. For the most vulnerable communities we serve, this is a generational setback.”
Our staff will be visiting the affected areas and along with our collaborators will be assessing how we can be most helpful in the days ahead. Your support for these efforts is desperately needed most deeply appreciated.
Contributions can be made to this effort at our Child Haven website www.childhaven.ca
Many Thanks, Robin Cappuccino, for Child Haven International
