The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Aid body admits ‘scale of quake crisis is huge’
Organisation says supplies reaching people but urges Britons to donate
Almost £3 million has been raised in Scotland in three days to help the thousands caught up in the devastating Nepal earthquake.
The 7.8-magnitude quake left more than 6,000 dead and has affected an estimated eight million people.
A massive relief operation was launched and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said food, water and shelter kits are beginning to reach remote villages despite “huge” logistical challenges.
Across the United Kingdom, £31 million has been donated to the DEC’s Nepal Earthquake Appeal, with almost £3 million raised in Scotland alone.
The next challenge facing those affected by the earthquake is monsoon rains predicted in the region over the next month, bringing problems to water supplies.
The earthquake struck just before midday last Saturday, sending tremors through the Kathmandu Valley and setting in motion an avalanche that swept down Mount Everest.
A third of the population was already living two or more hours’ walk from the nearest good road and journeys that used to take four hours are now taking aid organisations one and a half days, the Dec said.
Neil Mathers, who is chairman of the DEC appeal in Scotland, said: “Aid is getting through thanks to the generosity of the many thousands of people across Scotland who have donated to the DEC Nepal Earthquake Appeal. The scale of the crisis is huge and we urge people to continue to give.
“DEC agencies are already beginning to reach villages and camps outside of the capital with clean water and chlorine tablets, including an additional delivery of more than 1,700 hygiene kits to Sankhu and Gorkha, and 80,000 water purification tablets to Gorkha today.
“Tonnes of supplies, including hygiene kits and sanitation equipment, are arriving in Nepal over the coming days and we need to clear blocked roads and move fast to reach people before more areas become inaccessible due to heavy rain, mudslides or landslides.”
To make a donation to the DEC Nepal Earthquake Appeal visit www.dec.org. uk or call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900. People can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.