There is still much rebuilding work to be done to recover from this disaster with many people still living in temporary shelters. It is likely that the need for basic food and relief items will continue for the year ahead as people’s means of creating a living have also been destroyed. More than 700,000 homes were destroyed and the rebuilding involves not just the material reconstruction but also the rebuilding of their lives in the community. As ever it is the most vulnerable and marginalised in society who bare the greatest brunt of any disaster, especially those women and children who rely on a daily wage to make living. For many the thought of returning home is too much to take and families are looking to start a new life away from the trauma and memories of the quake.
One of the volunteers shares about their relief distribution, “An elderly man thanked us nearly a hundred times for the warm blanket and food we were able to give him. It nearly broke our hearts to see the situation in these remote places, but we are thankful that we could reach them and bring a smile to their hearts.”
In partnership with GAiN, the local staff have been distributing food and warm clothes to the villages most affected. In bringing the practical relief they are also able to bring comfort and healing through trauma counselling for those who have suffered so much. In a situation where everyone has been affected and experienced loss of family, shelter and possessions, it is important to take care of those who are caring for others. The team on the ground have recently been through training themselves and in doing so have experienced their own healing and release to be better equipped to care for others who are in crisis.
We continue to remember the victims of the disaster, as well as those awaiting resettlement so that hope for the future of the Nepalese people would return.