Help us deliver emergency infrastructure to Nepal


A major earthquake struck Nepal on the morning of the 25th April 2015, causing thousands of deaths and leveling major parts of the capital, Kathmandu. Avalanches were also reported in the Himalayas, including on Mount Everest, where further deaths occurred. The epicenter quake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, with over 100 after-shocks, one of which reached 6.7 on the Richter scale.

Death toll and after effects
The economy of Nepal, a nation of 27.8 million people, relies heavily on tourism, principally trekking and Himalayan mountain climbing.  The quake has put a huge strain on the resources of this impoverished country best known for the highest mountain in the world.

The United Nations and the World Bank estimate that more than 8 million people have been affected by the earthquake and 1.3 million are in need of food assistance.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Komal Singh Bam confirms to us the death toll is expected to climb.  

“The death toll is very high and it will go up even more. Rescue operations are slow because we don’t have all the proper facilities.” 
 
Eighteen climbers were also found dead on Mount Everest after the tremor triggered an avalanche. Many more were trapped. Helicopters were still trying to rescue up to 150 people trapped on the mountain on Monday.

As of Sunday, 3rd May 2015, Nepalese officials said the death toll from the incident had reached 7,250, with over 14,200 injured.

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets as shelter is in short supply.
  

Second quake hits on 12th May 2015 


At least 37 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured, officials say. At least 17 have also died in India.

The latest earthquake hit near the town of Namche Bazaar and sent thousands of panicked residents on to the streets of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. It had a magnitude of 7.3, compared with the 7.8 of the 25 April quake.
 

We need your help now!

Nepal is a developing country, hard-pressed to cope with such a crippling tragedy. The average income is less than $1000USD per annum, and 30% of the population living below the poverty line, rebuilding efforts will take a long time. Poorly maintained roads have resulted in lack of access to those who are trapped. A breakdown in communications infrastructure has also created a critical problem for rescuers, particularly where they need to assist those in remote locations. 

The areas majorly affected by the earthquake are densely populated, and the qualities of buildings are often poor. Across central Nepal, including in Kathmandu, the capital, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced out of their homes and are living without clean water or sanitation.

This is a long-term emergency. With so much major infrastructure destroyed rebuilding will take many years.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that reconstruction costs could exceed $10 billion, or half of national GDP.

The International Trade Council has several members within Nepal, and is working to co-ordinate the provision of infrastructure relief in the form of water purification and sanitation systems, electricity, communications and other engineering supplies.

  

Focus of aid delivery

While there are multiple organisations rushing to delivery food and medical aid the International Trade Council is focused on providing relief in the following areas:
  • Water purification materials and systems
  • Sanitation systems
  • Power delivery
  • Communications infrastructure
  • Mid-term shelter

   

Why this is a not a 'quick-fix' / why infrastructure aid is important

Nepal is one of Asia’s poorest nations with unemployment over 40% and per capita GDP of just $1,000. The country has not had a fully functioning government since 2008 and has had 7 Prime Ministers in as many years.

Although the Nepal National Building Code has been on the books for twenty years, local builders have ignored it with impunity, with most construction remaining unregulated. In a country where a quarter of the population survives on an income of less than $1.25 per day, code compliance is beyond the means of millions of Nepalese, meaning that the international community must step in to help – before another disaster strikes.

“With housing construction standards in Nepal being extremely low due to the poverty of the general population, the impact of the earthquake has been devastating,” says Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist for IHS analysis group.

A recent study by Geohazard International found that two-thirds of the structures built in in Nepal did not meet seismic code standards.

That study “found that rapid urbanization, with its resulting unplanned growth and inadequate enforcement of regulations, has led to substandard and unsafe housing patterns.”

Infrastructure is critical for the creation of jobs and economic stability. A lack of infrastructure will hold back Nepal’s recovery efforts as power, water and sanitation systems are essential for a healthy population.
  
The International Trade Council believes that by focusing on the delivery of infrastructure there will be a quicker road to recovery for those affected by this tragedy.

Providing infrastructure solutions as part of the recovery effort will:
  • Assist in the delivery of community welfare services
  • Facilitate economic growth and recovery
  • Underpin future domestic and international trade

 

Facts and figures

As at 29th April 2015
  • The earthquake struck on the 15th April 2015 at 11.41 IST (Indian Standard Time) and measured 7.8 on the Richter scale.
  • Its Epicentral Region was located approximately 80Km NW of Kathmandu in Lamjung, Gorkha district.
  • The World Food Programme estimates that 8 million people have been affected by Nepal's earthquake (approximately 30%).
  • Jamie McGoldrick, the UN resident coordinator in Kathmandu, states that 8 million people have been affected by the quake, and that 1.4 million needed food assistance.
  • Of Nepal’s 75 districts, about 39, mostly in the western and central regions, have suffered damage in the earthquake.
  • Unicef states that 2.8 million children require urgent assistance.
  • The death toll currently sits at more than 5,057 (as of 28th April). 8,500 people are confirmed injured.
  • Nepal's Prime Minister warns that the final death figure may reach 10,000.
  • At least 18 people died on the slopes of Mount Everest, where avalanches buried part of the base camp packed with foreign climbers.
  • Many small mountain-side villages have disappeared entirely. A landslide struck a village in the district of Rasuwa, north of Kathmandu, leaving up to 250 people missing. Similar reports are coming in from neighbouring areas.
  • Many towns and villages surrounding Kathmandu are still cut off.
  • Nearly 100 aftershocks, including a magnitude-6.7 temblor Sunday, have hindered rescue efforts and terrorized residents sleeping in open squares and parks.
  • Makeshift tent camps have sprung up for those whose homes were lost and for those too scared to return home to unsteady structures. Nearly 10,000 people have set up an outside camp in a soccer field and many more are sleeping on the streets.
  • Electricity and telephone service are sporadic in Kathmandu, the capital, and non-existent elsewhere.
  • The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that reconstruction costs could exceed $10 billion, or half of national GDP.
  • The tourism sector, accounting for around 10% of GDP and a similar percentage of all jobs, looks finished for the short-term. This leaves the country with a massive short-fall in revenues which are essential for rebuilding.

 

The missing by country

Australia: 549 Australians registered as travelling in Nepal, 200 confirmed safe. No reports of Australian deaths.
Austria: Around 250 Austrians in Nepal, no reports of any casualties.
Bangladesh: Fifty nationals, including members of the country's under-14 girls' football team, evacuated. No information on exact number of nationals in Nepal.
Britain: Several hundred Britons believed to be in Nepal. No reports of deaths or injuries.
China: State news agency Xinhua, quoting the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, reports four people confirmed dead and 10 seriously injured. Xinhua said at least 20 people were killed in Tibet.
Colombia: Seven nationals missing. No reports of any deaths or injuries.
Croatia: Four tourists, all accounted for.
Czech Republic: 155 nationals in Nepal, 54 have not yet been contacted.
Estonia: About 30 Estonians were known to be in Nepal, according to its foreign ministry. One has been reported dead and four are unaccounted for.
France: French authorities said two nationals have been killed; 676 French people are missing and about 1,400 have been located and are "safe and well"
Greece: Two Greek nationals safe.
India: Five Indians killed in Nepal, and another 66 in Indian regions over the border. So far, 1,417 Indians evacuated from Nepal.
Indonesia: Thirty-four nationals in Nepal, 18 of them residents. Eighteen have not yet been contacted.
Ireland: About 100 citizens in the affected region. Many have been contacted.
Israel: About 600 Israelis estimated to be in Nepal. About 400 have been contacted, most of them sheltering at the embassy in Kathmandu. These include 25 couples in Nepal to bring home babies born to surrogate mothers.
Italy: More than 300 Italians in Nepal have been traced, others not yet contacted.
Japan: Japan's foreign ministry said one Japanese man was killed and a woman was injured. Some 1,100 Japanese living in Nepal are registered with the embassy, but no information on the number of nationals travelling through.
Latvia: Forty-one nationals have been contacted. No reports of injuries.
Lithuania: Fifty-five Lithuanian nationals in Nepal, of whom five were not reachable.
Malaysia: Two Malaysians are missing. A team of Malaysian climbers at the Everest base camp are among those who have been accounted for and are safe.
Mexico: Twenty-eight Mexican nationals are safe. One missing.
Norway: About 150 nationals in Nepal, no reports of any dead or injured.
Pakistan: About 30 nationals have been evacuated from Nepal, no information on exact number.
Philippines: Two Filipino climbers are reported safe.
Portugal: All seven Portuguese known to be in Nepal are safe.
Romania: Twenty-eight Romanians in Nepal, including mountaineer Alex Gavan and three others, all reported to be safe.
Russia: Tass news agency, citing Emergencies Ministry, says no casualties among Russians.
Singapore: No information on the exact number, but the majority of the registered Singaporeans in Nepal have been contacted.
Sri Lanka: Around 100 Sri Lankans have sought help for evacuation. No casualties reported.
South Korea: Three nationals injured in the earthquake. 650 residents and as many as 1,000 travellers are estimated to have been in Nepal.
Sweden: Around 150 Swedes known to be in Nepal, no reports of casualties. Most have been accounted for.
Taiwan: Taiwan's foreign ministry said 179 Taiwanese were in Nepal at the time of the quake. Of those, 152 had been confirmed safe, the whereabouts of the other 27 were unknown.
Thailand: Sixty-six Thais, including six medical students, are reported to be safe.
US: Three Americans killed.
  

Confirmed death toll

Reports have come in stating that there are 5200 dead (as of 29th April). The below info-graphic shows the figures that the Council has been able to independently confirm. 



International Trade Council members in Nepal

The International Trade Council has 5 member organisations in Nepal. These are as follows: 


For a list of all International Trade Council members worldwide please visit http://www.itcapproved.org or http://www.tradecouncil.org

International Trade Council Member - UAE Exchange - Offers Free Remittance Services to Nepal for 1 Month!

As a gesture of solidarity with Nepali diaspora, global remittance, foreign exchange and payment solutions leader, UAE Exchange waived service fee on remittances to Nepal from all its centres around the world. This facility will be available for a month. Additionally the remittance brand also offered NPR 10 million (Approx. AED 370,000) as humanitarian aid to support relief efforts to the quake-hit country.

Speaking at the cheque handover event, His Excellency Mr. Dhananjay Jha, Ambassador of Nepal to the UAE, said, “This earthquake can be counted as Nepal’s one of the worst disasters. World has responded overwhelmingly and at good speed. UAE Exchange has been one of the organisations to respond at the earliest. Nepali diaspora shares a strong bond with UAE Exchange, which works closely with them addressing their various financial requirements. This gesture by UAE Exchange is much appreciated and accepted with gratitude by the people of Nepal.”

“As a community-sensitive entity, our commitment is to support people in their hour of crisis and Nepal direly needs support at this time. It is in this context that we have waived service fee on remittance services to the diaspora for a period of one month starting 27th April, 2015,” said Mr. Promoth Manghat, Dy. CEO, UAE Exchange.

He said this facility will be offered across all branches of UAE Exchange, which is the world’s largest networked remittance brand. The remittance major has 750 branches across 32 countries and apart from Nepali diaspora, this service can also be utilised by individuals and humanitarian organisations wishing to send donations to the Kingdom hit by massive tremors. It is estimated that there are over 2.2 million Nepalese migrants across the world.

Handing over a cheque of NPR 10 million to the Ambassador of Nepal, Mr. Manghat said that he hoped the humble contribution together with the financial support pouring into Nepal from world over will help relief operations and rebuilding of Nepal. “The UAE has always been in the forefront in supporting countries and people affected by natural calamities and we are following the noble path shown to us by the rulers of this country that helping communities in need is an imperative for even businesses,” Mr. Manghat added.

Visit http://www.uaeexchange.com

Offers of in-kind donations & off-line donations


In-Kind Donations

If you are offering an in-kind donation please provide the following information:
  • Your company name:
  • Contact person details (phone, fax, email):
  • Item(s) description:
  • Quantity:
  • Packaging (e.g. packed in sealed branded boxes each of 25x25x25cm weighing 1kg packed on pallets):
  • Location of pickup:
  • Use-by dates (if any):
  • Condition of goods (e.g. brand new, seconds, used):
Please send this information to: [email protected]

Once this information is known we can attempt to either directly coordinate freight or we can work with other relief agencies to consolidate it into their shipments.

Off-line Donations
If you prefer to donate 'offline' and/or not have your donation listed here please visit www.tradecouncil.org.

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