We are stepping back from our regular blog today to talk more about what is going on with our orphanage in Nepal since the earthquake.
Jeremiah 4:20 “Disaster follows disaster; the whole land lies in ruins. In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter in a moment.”
Our orphanage is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. The neighborhood is called chabahil. We are about half a mile, as the crow flies, from the Hyatt Regency in Kathmandu. We have 20 children ranging in age from 5 to 15. Here are some of the latest statistics as of Tuesday, April 28. Around 450,000 people have been internally displaced by the disaster, according to the National Emergency Operation Center. Some 8 million people have been affected by the disaster — with 1.4 million in urgent need of food supplies, according to the United Nations. Further complicating the relief effort, a heavy rainstorm broke out in Kathmandu on Tuesday and meteorologists were predicting more rain over the next 10 days.
Status: The earthquake struck about noon Nepal time on April 25 and registered 7.9. This was a Saturday which was great because it meant that the children were not at school. Saturday is the only day schools are not open in Nepal. The shaking was so intense that everyone at our home immediately ran outside. Everyone was counted and checked and they were all physically okay. They left the home and headed to an open area because everyone knows to expect aftershocks. As the day wore on and more, large aftershocks occurred, we all decided it was best for them to sleep outside. They have slept outside each night since the quake and will continue to sleep there for now to keep safe. Unfortunately, it has been raining a lot so that makes conditions ever worse. They were able to buy a few tarps to put up to help some.
The building: We are not sure of the status of the building at this time. It had some large cracks on the outside of the walls but they have not been back inside since the quake to see what damage is on the inside. Since it was last check, aftershocks of 6.5 have occurred which might have damaged the structure even more. The building will need to be inspected before they can move in again.
Electricity, food and water: Food and water supplies are already becoming a concern. All electricity and water has been shut down in the city because of the damage to wires and pipes. Water for drinking can only be bought from the few remaining shops that are still standing. Food supplies are also in very short supply. When our people can find water or food, they are paying through the roof for them. They have only eaten once each day since the earthquake and that meal was only rice. I am very concerned about our children not getting enough food to eat over the next several weeks. I am in daily communications with our workers by cell phone. They have found a person with a generator and can charge the phone that way. The man with the generator has figured out this is a money making idea so he is charging us a lot of money for this privilege but it does allow us to keep getting updates.
Health: Sleeping out doors in the rain will bring health problems. Drink unclean or unfiltered water will also cause health issues. But I think the biggest health concern will come from the bodies that are still buried under the piles of ruble all around the city. I expect cholera and typhoid will become a big issues and unfortunately some will die from these problems also. Our children have already suffered in life by being orphans. Now they are experiences extreme levels of fear. We will need to work on ways to help with this problem now and in the future also.
Future: One thoughts for the near future are about the number of new orphans that have been created by this disaster and what we can do to help them. We might need to make room for more children after the initial crisis is over.
Needs: The biggest need right now will be for money. Down the road we may be able to collect items to send them to Nepal but with such serious damage to the whole infrastructure, this is no way to do this now. We need money so our children can get food, water, medicines, etc. We will need funds to repair the building damage once they can get back in. We will need funds to help our workers who have damage or lost their homes completely.
Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.”
We will keep posting updates to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/OREInc . You can make donation on our Facebook page or on our website at http://www.orphanreliefeffort.org
We need your help to recover from this disaster. Please be in prayer for our children and the entire country of Nepal and donate as you can.
Psalm 823 “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.”
