TIM COSTELLO, chief executive of World Vision Australia, talks about the challenges met and the job still to do in Nepal following last year’s massive earthquake…
On 25th April, World Vision Australia joined the people of Nepal in remembering last year’s devastating earthquake, which killed almost 9000 people.
On a day that is sacred to Australians, Anzac Day, we also remembered those who died in Nepal and the hundreds of thousands of people World Vision has worked with in the past year as they struggle to rebuild.
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NEW HOPE: Nepalese children at a temporary learning centre support by World Vision. PICTURE: Max Greenstein/World Vision “In my time at World Vision, I have witnessed many disasters: sudden and violent turns of nature, such as the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 and the Nepal earthquake, and others man-made, such as the five year war in Syria that has displaced millions of people from the certainties of life that we take for granted. Each disaster is different. Often, they take longer to resolve than we would wish.” |
Overcoming challenges brought by a harsh Himalayan winter, monsoons, fuel shortages and logistical complexities brought by tough terrain, World Vision has reached 386,984 people from emergency to recovery phase. Within 24 hours after the earthquake, we supported the affected people with life-saving food and emergency essentials, such as tarps, blankets and water purification tablets.
Over the past year, we have provided 20,789 families with shelter and non-food items, reached more than 72,000 people through repairs of health posts and provisions of medical supplies and equipment, as well as provided access to clean water to more than 118,000 people.
We have supported communities with a mix of goods, access to services, cash assistance, training and infrastructure around disaster preparedness; health and nutrition; education; water, hygiene and sanitation; and shelter and livelihood.
In my time at World Vision, I have witnessed many disasters: sudden and violent turns of nature, such as the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 and the Nepal earthquake, and others man-made, such as the five year war in Syria that has displaced millions of people from the certainties of life that we take for granted.
Each disaster is different. Often, they take longer to resolve than we would wish.
A new interagency report, Children’s voices, children’s rights: one year after the Nepal earthquake, undertaken by World Vision, Plan International, Save the Children, Terre des hommes and UNICEF, reveals that children continue to face major difficulties. Too many continue to live in temporary shelter.
Children in five of the most severely earthquake-affected districts spoke to us of their fears since the earthquake. They included fear of being trafficked, and fear of being forced into child labour. A boy from Salmechakal, Kavre, told us: “We feel scared even while dreaming.”
In Nepal, as living conditions and access to basic services gradually improve, World Vision remains committed to meeting emergency needs, strengthening resilience and self-recovery and restoring a sense of safety for earthquake-affected children and their communities.
Working in the worst-hit districts, especially Gorkha, Sindupalchowk, Dhading, Nuwakot and Dolakha, World Vision continues to work alongside the Nepal government, humanitarian stakeholders, and community partners – promoting shared accountability, enhanced local capacities and community participation.
World Vision is focused on providing opportunities to communities to give them ownership of their recovery, helping the people of Nepal to strengthen their resilience and to build back better than before.
We remain committed to serving the earthquake-affected communities, standing side-by-side with the people of Nepal in their journey from devastation to recovery.
Tim Costello is the chief executive of World Vision Australia.
Follow this link to see a video Nepal Earthquake – One Year And Beyond.
If you would like to donate to World Vision, head to www.worldvision.com.au/nepalearthquake.
