MSP meets disaster survivors in Nepal
IT MAY be one of the poorest countries in the world, but the people of Nepal are famous for the warmth of their welcomes – as Lochaber MSP Kate Forbes found out for herself this week. Ms Forbes is on a week-long fact-finding trip to the Himalayan country to meet survivors of Nepal’s devastating earthquakes and recent flooding, to find out first hand more about the impact of global climate change.
A member of Holyrood’s Environment Committee, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch is also seeing how money raised in Scotland has helped people to rebuild their lives and homes.
SURVIVORS of Nepal’s devastating earthquakes and recent flooding are meeting Lochaber MSP Kate Forbes, who is currently in the Himalayan country, as she endeavours to find out more about the impact of global climate change.
Ms Forbes, who sits on Holyrood’s environment committee, is also seeing how money raised in Scotland has helped people to rebuild their lives and homes.
She is due to go to the Teraj, the south of the country, to visit a project in Nepalgunj, which is working to assist people in the aftermath of flash floods, having received support from the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund.
This will also include meeting farmers who have started cultivation again, and people who have rebuilt their shelters.
The visit has been organised by Christian humanitarian charity Tearfund, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
‘I’m spending a few days in Nepal to meet with people who were affected by the earthquake of 2015 and the more recent flooding. These are incredible folk who have looked death in the face and are now rebuilding their lives,’ Ms Forbes told the Lochaber Times before jetting out this week.
‘I have no doubt that these meetings will give me a greater sense of perspective and hopefully it will be an encouragement to those I meet as well to know that there are people across the world who care about their welfare.
‘I will be regularly posting photos on social media for anybody who’d like to track my visit.’
Lynne Paterson, Tearfund Scotland’s director, said the charity was delighted the MSP was visiting Nepal as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, meeting Tearfund partners and local communities.
She said: ‘We hope that through meeting with people first-hand, Kate will get a fresh insight into how Tearfund, with the support of the Scottish Government, is bringing hope to communities who need it most.’
Located between India and China, Nepal is dependent on Indian supply routes for most of its trade including essential commodities such as oil products and medicines.
It ranks 145 on the Human Development Index, meaning it is one of the least developed countries in the world and in general the infrastructure and facilities are poor, probably with the exception of areas frequented by tourists.