ASIA/NEPAL - One year after the earthquake, Caritas is committed to ensuring a future for the affected families

Wednesday, 20 April 2016

Caritas Australia

Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) - A year after the earthquake that on April 25, 2015 devastated Nepal, followed by that of the equally strong earthquake on May 12, about 2.8 million (more than 10% of the population) people are still in need of humanitarian aid in the country, say the United Nations. The victims of the earthquake were almost 9000, and 22 thousand injured, 500 thousand homes destroyed and the vast majority of the infrastructure was damaged.
Nepal has been a federal republic since 2008, after the monarchy and a ten-year civil war that ended in 2006.
The Constitution was approved only seven months ago, while 25% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Numerous associations have been active for some time in Nepal, such as Caritas, in helping to rebuild the country.
Caritas Nepal, thanks to the support of the Caritas Internationalis network, has invested 36.4 million euro over three years to help survivors of the earthquake, focusing on providing good quality homes. Over the last year Caritas has helped more than 1.2 million people in Nepal and in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, has delivered emergency aid for over 70,000 households, for a total of 700 thousand people, operating in 15 districts affected. Caritas has invested in the repair of almost 400 schools, has given subsidies to help people restart their activities, and has offered medical support.
Fr. Silas Bogati, executive director of Caritas Nepal, observes in a note sent to Fides: "We reacted immediately to the disaster. Now we are helping to shape the future together with our brothers and sisters in Nepal. We build earthquake-resistant houses so people feel at sure, we help children go to school, we provide water and seeds to families, to restore decent living conditions". On the anniversary of the earthquake, Caritas will hold a three-day event in Kathmandu from April 25 to 28, in which the challenges and future strategies will be examined, with the participation of the President of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/04/2016)


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