Do not forget the Nepalese

Update on our emergency response

17 expatriate staff members and 85 Nepalese staff are currently working on Handicap International’s teams in Nepal.

Our teams of physiotherapists continue to provide support to hospitals in Kathmandu and Bidur/Trisuli. The number of people injured in earthquakes and aftershocks has stabilised at around 17,000.

We are continuing to distribute 1,500 kits of essential items. A total of 750 have already been distributed in the district of Newakot. The monsoon season is still ahead of us and our teams are taking advantage of this situation to distribute as many kits as possible - including high-quality tents designed to provide a minimum of comfort for families even during storms - before the first rains arrive.  These distributions will now be concentrated on the district of Rassuwa, which will be very difficult to reach once the monsoon has begun.
 
Since 12 May, Handicap International, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), has been managing one of two humanitarian aid storage centres in Kathmandu (Banepa, more specifically). A storage area has also been set up in Bidur and another will be created in Dhunche before the end of the week. The organisation is also planning to set up mobile stocks (storage tents) and a system for transporting aid in advanced storage to communities over the next few weeks.
 
 A permanent DVFP has been set up next to Bir hospital in Kathmandu. It will help the organisation follow-up patients discharged from hospital by meeting their rehabilitation and basic needs. Four mobile teams are already working in Kathmandu Valley and an additional team has been deployed to Dhulikhel (in the districts of Kavre/Palenche). Other permanent points will be set up over the next few days.

A hotline has been set up so that people who need Handicap International’s services can get in touch with the organisation immediately.