Nepal earthquake: apostolic vicar calls on everyone to help in this time of crisis
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Nepal "is in a state of panic. Many people are homeless, mourning their dead. In this time of crisis, we need to join forces to help the victims, regardless of religion,” said Mgr Paul Simick, apostolic vicar of Nepal, in an appeal to Catholics and non-Catholics, at home and abroad.
The vicar asked Catholics in particular to be a role model for their fellow human beings. “Now it is time to heed Jesus’ teachings, follow Christ who sacrificed himself for humanity and the whole world, and be prepared to act as responsible citizens and help others by giving up all we can."
The prelate’s plea comes at a time when the country is very hard-pressed. With the death toll at 5,500 with more than 12,000 injured, thousands are still waiting for aid, outdoors, without a roof over their head, concerned about their health and the sanitary situation.
As search operations continue, doctors are recording more and more cases of diarrhoea and the flu, urging people to wear masks and drink only boiled water. Indeed, for survivors, the situation remains critical, especially in Kathmandu.
"My house was completely damaged and I cannot go back,” said Shyam Shresta, a resident of Kathmandu. For four days, “I have been living under this tree with the other three members of my family. We are concerned about epidemics and the losses they might cause.”
“There are no lavatories, which forces us to go out into the fields,” he added. “The bodies of dead people and animals are starting to decompose, because relief operations are taking too long.”
Making matters worse, “Many water pipes are broken. Sewers and water mains are mixed up. We're all scared, but we have no other choice but to wait for something better."
He is not alone in his plight. Thousands of people who lived and worked in Kathmandu are abandoning the capital to return to their villages of origin.
Some private schools have arranged for those who want to get out of the Kathmandu valley to travel on some 500 free buses. However, with people already panicking, the vehicles are overcrowded.
"The house that I rented was damaged,” said Lila Maya Neupane, a mother of two from Syangja. Now “People are saying that cholera, influenza and other diseases will spread by contact in Kathmandu. For this reason, I want to leave the city."
"We are telling everyone to take special measures and drink only boiled water,” said Dr Baburam Marasini, director of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division. “Lack of proper care may result in disease. So far, we are not yet at risk. We have been doing our best but people should take some precautions."
Meanwhile, thugs and looters are trying to take advantage of the situation. "Because many people are still afraid to go home, some looters are stealing goods and precious objects from abandoned houses,” said Hemantha Karki, a senior police officer.
“We try to do our best and we have arrested some people. We shall impose the maximum penalty on them. Our advice to them is to stop."
For now, the earth seems to be helping a bit. “The situation is improving and we have not had any major shocks,” said seismologist Somnath Sapkota. “There were a few, low-magnitude quakes 72 hours after the first big one.” Since then, “We have recorded 1,043 tremors but only a few were greater than 5 or 6 magnitude.”
This has helped rescue operations. On Wednesday, a French rescue team was able to pull out a man alive from the rubbles of a toppled house in Kathmandu’s Gongabu area, 84 hours after it collapsed.
Likewise, many rescue teams from around the world are continuing their operations.
According to a United Nations report published on Tuesday, at least eight million people were badly affected by the quake.
In an address to nation Tuesday evening, Nepali Prime Minister Sushil Koirala declared three days of public leave, calling on his fellow citizens to join in the rescue work.
.png)
24/07/2017 16:20
