Media CenterCRS Mobilizes Response to Devastating Earthquake in Nepal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Oxford, England:
Benny Manser
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
+44-079-3673-9782
Baltimore, Maryland:
Nikki Gamer
Catholic Relief Services
[email protected]
+1-978-884-0003
KATHMANDU, NEPAL, Nov 10, 2023 – Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is responding to a powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake that rocked western Nepal on November 3, 2023. Over 150 people were killed in the deadliest earthquake to strike the country since 2015. Hundreds of people were injured and more than 250,000 people are affected.
More than 350 aftershocks have continued to rattle the region, with a significant 5.8 magnitude aftershock occurring on November 6. These aftershocks have complicated rescue efforts, especially as landslides have blocked access to communities. "The earthquake and aftershocks have wreaked havoc on homes, local infrastructure and the lives of people," said Bandana Risal, CRS' Country Manager in Nepal. "Thousands of people have been displaced and they are sleeping in open makeshift shelters in freezing temperatures. Their needs will be even more urgent with winter approaching."
The Government of Nepal is leading the relief efforts and has accepted international assistance to help affected families. CRS teams are working closely with the government and local partners to assess immediate and long-term needs. The priority is providing shelter to the 25,000 families who lost their houses. CRS and our partners will provide immediate support such as shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support, and other urgent relief supplies. Some of the affected communities are at high elevations, meaning even colder temperatures as winter sets in and adding to the urgency to aid delivery.
Nepal frequently experiences earthquakes; in 2015 two massive earthquakes struck Nepal affecting over 8 million people. Within hours of the earthquake, CRS had released pre-positioned stocks of emergency shelter materials, water and hygiene kits, and blankets. CRS continues to work alongside the Government of Nepal, local partners and communities to deliver lifesaving aid and support long-term recovery efforts in Nepal.
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Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. The agency alleviates suffering and provides assistance to people in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality. CRS’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance and peacebuilding. For more information, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org and follow Catholic Relief Services on social media in English at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube; and in Spanish at: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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For photos, audio clips, video material & b-roll, contact: Nikki Gamer at nikki.gamer @crs.org +1-978-884-0003
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