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| Photo Kishor Dangol |
Recently, the team has been busy in Kathmandu and immediate surrounding areas distributing food relief to individuals and families.
From June 11th to 18th, food was delivered to 150 people on a daily basis. Thereafter, we halted our service for 2 days while our team surveyed for a newer population target.
In total we reached 750 people over 5 days of outreach and services with packed lunches, vitamin c and masks.
During the five days of the food distribution program, cooking, the packing of lunches and deliveries were carried out by volunteers.
In addition, our team surveyed and accordingly delivered uncooked food to 30 needy families: the supplies included rice, lentils and cooking oil to last a family for up to one week. We also identified 2 families in Pokhara and similar packages were distributed through our contact in Pokhara, a seven hour journey by bus from Kathmandu to the west. The situation in Pokhara was also assessed.
Kishor Dangol arranged to have one month's food supplied to 30 families with young children. These are the families of musicians who are currently unemployed due to the lockdown.
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| The route from Kathmandu to Pokhara. |
As the lockdown became slightly relaxed, fewer people were in need of help and the team's work lessened; and disaster struck in Malemchi village to the north of Kathmandu.
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| Flood waters in Malemchi. |
Melamchi is the gateway to the Helambu region in the north. Although many people and property has been badly affected, the news failed to make it in the western press.
The main landslides that triggered the flood are still posing a danger as 75% of the earth remains intact in the mountains with loose soil and scree on the surface and is awaiting another heavy downpour to release the rest. We are hoping and praying it doesn't happen. The monsoon has just started with its peak yet to come in July and August.
The flood took a heavy toll of damage in Melamchi river and the Helambu region affecting more then 400 families with their houses being washed away along with most of their belongings. All four major concrete bridges have been washed away cutting off several villages from communication from the rest of area. The Nepalese government has focused on repairing the roads and restoring electricity in order to create a basic infrastructure that will be a help to inhabitants around the river bed.
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| Photo Kishor Dangol. Gathering possessions from flooded homes. |
The area lies between 3,650 feet and nearly 12,000 feet. In some parts of Helambu there are no roads and a helicopter charter is the only way to reach villages. Electrical power has also been affected.
The team has purchased 250 solar lights to distribute where most needed to families with young children who are living in poverty. Also supplied are several bags of rice and lentils and depending on the availability of funds. For information I am in regular contact with local Govt authorities as well as local people.
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| Purna Lama helping to distribute solar lights |
Now the affected people are surviving in camps.
Thank you all for your kind help and generosity. Ours is a mission to bring smiles to the faces of people deprived of a means to find their way through this double tragedy of covid and the floods.
Purna Lama
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| Photo Kishor Dangol: Food prepared and donated by Yangrima Party Palace. |
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