World rushes aid to earthquake-hit Nepal
AID groups and governments around the world yesterday intensified efforts to help earthquake-hit Nepal, but blocked roads, downed power lines and overcrowded hospitals posed formidable challenges in an already poor country.
Many nations sent emergency crews to reinforce those scrambling to find survivors in the devastated capital of Kathmandu and in cut-off rural areas.
“Tragically, more bodies are being pulled from collapsed buildings every hour,” the Australian Red Cross said in a statement.
“Communication is down in many areas. Widespread destruction, rubble and landslides are preventing access to provide aid in many villages.”
Mike Bruce, regional communications manager for the Plan International aid organization, said many areas — both rural and in some of the larger towns — had suffered landslides and roads were blocked.
“People are sleeping on the streets and cooking outside for the most part. And we are talking about very, very poor areas of Nepal — areas that are already suffering a great deal,” Bruce said.
Other aid organizations relayed fears that stocks of essential supplies were rapidly running out, and described the fearsome effects of the quake.
“We witnessed terrible scenes of destruction — hospitals were evacuated with patients being treated on the ground outside, homes and buildings demolished and some roads cracked wide open,” said Eleanor Trinchera, Caritas Australia program coordinator for Nepal, who was an hour away from the capital when the quake struck.
A lack of electricity would soon be complicated by a scarcity of water, aid groups said, with medical supplies also dwindling, while Oxfam told reporters that morgues were reaching capacity.
Hundreds of structures, including office blocks and a landmark nine-storey tower, crashed to the ground at around midday on Saturday when the 7.8-magnitude quake struck.
As Nepal began to take stock of the devastation, a US disaster response team was on its way and an initial US$1 million in aid to address immediate needs had been authorized, the US Agency for International Development said.
Australia and New Zealand together pledged more than US$4.5 million, while South Korea promised US$1 million in humanitarian aid.
India yesterday dispatched 13 military aircraft to Nepal loaded with tons of food, blankets and other aid, stepping up relief efforts to its earthquake-devastated neighbor.
Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar said the transport planes were carrying disaster management experts along with medical supplies and other relief material that was desperately needed in the wake of Saturday’s deadly quake.
“We expect to have 13 military aircraft going to Kathmandu. Five of these have landed while the others are on their way. By late evening (yesterday) we expect all 13 to land,” Jaishankar told a press briefing in New Delhi.
The planes are carrying three army field hospitals along with two tons of medical supplies and 10 tons of blankets and tents, Jaishankar said.
Russia said that two of its planes were to fly out yesterday, carrying specialist rescuers, doctors and psychologists as well as equipment including helicopters and drones.
Sri Lanka said a military C-130 aircraft carried a 48-member medical and relief team along with medicines, bandages, water and power generators, while a second aircraft would take more doctors and nurses.
Pakistan said two C-130 aircraft carrying equipment for a 30-bed hospital, food and search and rescue teams had arrived in Nepal.
A Singaporean search and rescue team was also heading for Nepal, while Japan’s own 70-strong emergency services team had left yesterday.
A 45-strong team of rescue experts, doctors and other experts, from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg, was leaving on a Belgian military plane.
France’s foreign ministry said that it had dispatched a rescue team carrying essential supplies.
Germany, Britain and Spain also pledged support and assistance, with Norway promising to provide 30 million krone (US$3.9 million) in humanitarian aid.
Israel said it was sending an aid delegation to Nepal, including a team of paramedics and doctors.
Charity Christian Aid launched an appeal for funds and said it was working with partner agencies to reach the worst hit areas, describing an “urgent need” for emergency shelters, food, clean drinking water and warm clothing.
Numerous aid groups and NGOs have also announced help.
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