The forces of the MHW, which have been on the ground since May 1st, have come away with the horror yesterday. Again, the earth trembled and that was still very violent: with a strength of 7.2 on the Richter scale, the quake was measured with epicenter east of Kathmandu. Again, over one thousand injured and many dead are to be lamented.

Head of Operations Josef Riener: “The situation for the survivors is dramatic. Hardly anyone is afraid of further aftershocks, even in the damaged houses. There are still many international helpers on the ground and the necessary reconstituted medical help in so-called health points works according to circumstances well. The lack of infrastructure is still problematic to reach remote mountain villages and the coming monsoon. For the rainy season many damaged houses have to be repaired and equipped with new roofs. For 100 € we are able to provide a roof of approx. 16 m² to a family! ”

On the basis of urgently needed help on the ground, the MHW will continue its deployment with ASB Styria until at least 23.05. to assist local helpers in the provision of health points and emergency shelters. The refurbishment of Orphan Welfare Home will continue. Urgently stable tents, tarpaulins and corrugated iron coverings are needed in order to equip the lodgings in a monsoon-friendly way. On site, the relevant materials are transported to the assigned emergency shelters in consultation with the Ministry of Health (MoHP).

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Since the arrival, the coordination team registered at the UN-OCHA and the Nepali Ministry of Health (MoHP) has been carrying out investigations into the disaster area, providing numerous injured people on site.

In talks with the official bodies and local organizations, it is confirmed that the supply of relief supplies is now mainly related to tents, food and drinking water. Support for reconstruction is also urgently needed.

In the Phungstsok Choelling Monastery, which has been transformed into a temporary camp, the team supports daily the medical care of the injured (including numerous children). Apart from that, the medical assistance on site is normalized, with the main focus now being on the establishment of so-called health points. These are mobile health centers, where the persons concerned are, for example, Medicines can pick up or a wound care takes place. Also, a “home care system” for simple health problems, such as diabetes or fever is so secured. The MHW has the official order of MoHP to build such a health point in Panchkhal / Kavre (town with 22,000 inhabitants) and to operate with local forces.

On May 7th, the MHW sent four more helpers to Nepal, in parallel to further projects. This includes an orphanage project in Kathmandu, which still serves as a BoO (Base of Operations) for our team. This has not been overthrown by the earthquake but is still heavily drawn. Parts must be repaired and electricity and water pipes are also damaged. It is impressive how the staff of the orphanage can deal with this situation “positively” and “positively” in order to provide the children with a loving and secure home. Is a local relief organization (Orphan Welfare Home), which has a state recognition in Nepal.

There are 15 places for the children. At present, 12 children aged between 5 and 16 are cared for. There are two nannies in the house, so children from 2 years can be accommodated.

In addition to building the Health Point, the MHW will also support this orphanage. The goal is to increase the capacity and to give a home to five other orphans whose parents died in the earthquake in the short term.

Press Release

The Medical Disaster Relief Agency Germany is in use

Munich, 05.05.2015. Since 1 May, the MHW team is helping in Kathmandu.

According to the current situation report, the earthquake has so far claimed over 7,500 dead and more than 14,000 injured – over 100 aftershocks were recorded, including a tremor of 6.7.

The coordination team of the MHW has been conducting investigations in the disaster area at the UN-OCHA and the Nepalese Ministry of Health (MoHP) for 4 days, providing injured people on site. In talks with the official bodies and local organizations, it is confirmed that the supply of relief supplies is now mainly related to tents, food and drinking water. Support for reconstruction is also urgently needed. In the Phungstsok Choelling Monastery, which has been transformed into a temporary camp, the team supports daily the medical care of the injured (including numerous children). Otherwise, medical assistance in the country is about to normalize and go into the hands of the local health care system. The local structures are supported by the MHW.

Further planned procedure: Parts of the 5-member coordination team will be replaced on 09.05.2015. The mission is to explore further follow-up projects and orphanages. From May 6, 2015, a health care center in the Sunkhani region will be established by the MHW. Further assistance, e.g. Distribution of food and supplies are planned in consultation with local authorities.

The team is supported by the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) Styria and Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen e.V. from Frankfurt am Main.