4th Newsletter Earthquake Sponsortrek Nepal
It seemed like the main problems after the earthquake are over, but this
is not true. The biggest problems are now coming up in many mountain areas.
In the Gorkha district, for instance, the epicenter of the earthquake,
several big mountain slopes could have mudslides.
Entire hillsides have become unstable and landslides are common.
We were anxious to begin the construction of the health post
in Keraunja and also assist in building a new school.
The school cannot be rebuilt on the old site as the ground is unstable
so we need to find an alternative site.
The site of the destroyed health post seems fairly safe. After the
monsoon, in a few weeks, it will be known what and where to build.
Many residents of Keraunja are evacuated and are now living elsewhere,
in Kathmandu or with relatives in safer places.
A large proportion live in self-built shelters with tarpaulins covers.
There were about 475 houses in Keraunja, most are heavily damaged or
completely destroyed.
It is impossible with the limited funds raised by Sponsortrek to give
help on an individual basis.
Luckily, everyone is now equipped with emergency facilities.
We currently have approximately € 20000 to 25000, and if you give
individual help, that amounts to a maximum of € 50 per household. This is
insufficient.
Keraunja has submitted a request for assistance to the government and we
hope that after the monsoon they could begin rebuilding the village. However,
experience shows that the government doesn't provide sufficient budgets, so
we'll have to help them for:
These will be built earthquake-resistant but the present amount raised will certainly not suffice.
After the monsoon, it will be decided where the health post and school
could be built.
Bhimdunga
Bhimdunga is about 2 hours drive from Kathmandu is. Tendy Sherpa was
contacted if something could be done about the situation there.
Here, only very
poor people of a lower caste live and help during the earthquake was very
limited.
We immediately consulted Tendy to bring tarps and blankets costing
approximately € 1700 euros so that they could build emergency shelters.
Click here for the story of Tendy.
Devastation in Bhimdunga
Tarpaulins and blankets are distributed by Ramji Tamang and Mingmar
Sherpa for emergency shelters.
The devastation is hard to imagine and people need to build a temporary
home with tarpaulins.
Assistance to our "Sherpas"
The staff of Iceland Trekking was not forgotten, some 30
"Sherpas" with damage to their homes each received approximately €
400.
In Nepal this is a large amount. We contributed € 1700 and indirectly by
a collection in Kathmandu another approximately € 5,000.
The rest was raised by
Tendy and other trekking and mountain climber companions from other countries.
The Sherpas can now get to work to rebuild their homes. There is much
more needed and therefore we hope they will have
enough work for the next
season.
We hope in October / November, after the monsoon to get more information
regarding Keraunja and then finally be able to start the reconstruction.
All our sponsors we say once again, a grateful thanks.
Sincerely,
On behalf of the Board
Rob Kolber
0031299 690460