Nepal Earthquake Emergency - News from the Field

At the SOS Children’s Village Kavre, Nepal, SOS staff and young people have started working together to distribute immediate aid to earthquake victims.

According to the Home Affairs Ministry, 6.6 million people have been affected by the devastating earthquake. So far, SOS is operating aid through emergency relief camps in four locations. These camps provide food, water and first-aid to families and children.

The relief camp in Kavre is currently providing relief to 120 victims – a number that will likely increase in the coming days. 

SOS Nepal National Director, Shankar Pradhananga, explains that their main objective is to find the children who have been separated from their families.

“There are three SOS Children’s Villages in the Kathmandu Valley, and all of them are open for children in need,” says Shankar. “Here, many children were already vulnerable before the earthquake due to poverty, and now even more children are exposed to the chaos the earthquake created.

Currently, no unaccompanied children have been found as access to the most devastated regions are limited.

SOS youth have been distributing food cooked by SOS mothers. Local SOS teachers have helped set up a Child-Friendly Space where children can receive care, food, clothing and health care if necessary. In addition, distribution of shelter equipment has begun in local communities, including tents to 150 people in the Bhaktapur city area.

It is likely relief work will also begin in another two locations: in Kathmandu and Patan.