Kathmandu, April 27, 2015 — The Asia Foundation expresses its heartfelt sympathies to all of those affected by Saturday’s devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake, including the Foundation’s staff and partners working in Nepal and in neighboring countries of India, China, and Bangladesh.
“The situation is quite grim,” said The Asia Foundation’s Nepal Country Representative George Varughese in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. “During this difficult time, we stand in solidarity with the affected communities in providing assistance wherever possible. We are closely monitoring the situation on the ground, and working with village and municipal groups who seek to restore public services, manage local dissatisfaction surrounding relief efforts, and provide information on relief efforts. We are also working closely with our Nepali partners to support their longer-term rebuilding efforts, with a special focus on psychosocial and education support for marginalized and vulnerable communities.”
Villages in the remote countryside have been completely cut off from rescuers, as roads, already poor, have been blocked by landslides. Nepal’s infrastructure is generally quite poor – rural roads are rudimentary, building construction is haphazard despite the risk of earthquakes, and electrical blackouts are an accepted part of daily life. “Disaster preparedness has also repeatedly fallen short,” said Varughese.
As international relief efforts get underway, and The Asia Foundation’s affiliate organization, Give2Asia, is helping to coordinate donations. Please visit Nepal Earthquake Fund to make a contribution.
For many decades, The Asia Foundation has supported Nepal’s long-term effort in establishing a peaceful and equitable Nepali state through improved local governance, rights and security of women and marginalized groups, and conflict transformation.
