2015 Nepal earthquake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaAPPEAL FOR HELP FROM THE NEPAL GOVERNMENT
The government has requested help from all sectors in the wake of the disaster that continues to terrorize the nation.
In a press release the government has asked all general public, private sectors, citizens , national volunteers , international donor agencies to make contributions.
Response
States
Australia — Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced an immediate AUD 5 million aid package of life-saving humanitarian support to Nepal consisting of 2.5 million to assist Australian non-government organisations, 2.0 million to support United Nations partners, and 0.5 million to support the Australian Red Cross.[47]
Bangladesh — Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed profound shock at the loss of lives in the earthquake[48] and sent a C-130B aircraft with 10 tonnes of relief materials, including tents, dry food, water and blankets carrying a 34-member team consisting of 6 military medical teams and representatives of the Foreign Ministry. The plane later left the teams in Nepal and returned with 50 Bangladeshi citizens, including stranded women, minors and the visiting below-14 female football team.[49][50][51]
Bhutan — Economic Affairs Minister Norbu Wangchuk expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Nepal. Wangchuk said that the celebration of World Intellectual Property was to be suspended in solidarity with the people of Nepal. Wangchuk added that there had been no major damages in Bhutan.[52]
Canada — Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement offering “heartfelt condolences to the people of Nepal and northern India” and “wish[ing] a speedy recovery to all those injured”. The statement clarified that Canadian officials in the region were “working with Nepalese and Indian authorities” to locate and ensure the safety of any Canadians in the area, while also “cooperat[ing] with international partners [to] assess the needs of the affected populations to determine how Canada may most effectively assist with the disaster. We mourn with the people of Nepal and India in the aftermath of this terrible natural disaster and offer our help and our prayers."[53] Foreign Affairs Minister Rob Nicholson said Canada is reaching out to provide help to the country. "Canada will do everything it can to assist" and is contributing CAD 5 million to the relief efforts, as well as deploying elements of the country's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to Nepal to assess how to best help with the situation.[54] At least 388 Canadians were registered as being in Nepal at the time of the earthquake; the exact number is unclear since traveller registration with the Canadian government is voluntary.[55]
China — Premier Li Keqiang sent messages of condolences to the Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala, and pledged to offer assistance.[56] Xi Jinping, the President of China, sent his condolences to Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav and pledged to offer assistance.[57] The China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) deployed 68 of its members, as well as 6 search and rescue dogs, to Nepal via chartered plane in the early morning of 26 April, Beijing time.[58][59][60] On 26 April, Chinese government announced it will provide 20 million yuan (3.3 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian aid in form of tents, blankets and generators etc.[61] The Chinese embassy in Nepal launched an emergency response mechanism to help with the Chinese nationals injured in the disaster.[62]
Egypt — Egypt's government expressed condolences to Nepal's government and people in an official statement, stressing that it stood with Nepal in its diversity, paid respect to the victims and wished the wounded people a rapid recovery.[64]
France — On 25 April, the government of France expressed solidarity with the people and government of Nepal. A crisis centre was set up at France's Foreign Ministry, and a reinforcement team sent to New Delhi.[65] On 26 April 2015, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Laurent Fabius announced that an initial mission of 11 rescuers plus equipment and supplies was departing for Kathmandu that morning. Additional assistance would follow according to the needs and demands of local authorities and NGOs.[66]
Germany — On the day of the quake, the government of Germany pledged to provide assistance.[67] On Sunday, a team of 52 German relief workers—including physicians, expert searchers, and multiple dog squads—will land in Nepal with a mobile medical treatment centre, according to International Search and Rescue Germany.[68]
India — India was the first nation to respond to the crisis, by launching a full-fledged rescue and relief operation codenamed Operation Maitri. Within 15 minutes of the quake,[69] Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded, directing immediate dispatch of relief and rescue teams, including medical team, to Nepal. By the same afternoon, ten teams from India's National Disaster Response Force, totaling 450 personnel and including several search and rescue dogs, had already arrived in Nepal; ten additional Indian Air Force planes soon departed to join them with further aid.[70] In the immediate aftermath of the quake, India sent 43 tons of relief material, including tents and food.[71] Modi spoke with Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and assured him of India's support and assistance.[72] The Indian Army sent a major general to Nepal to oversee the rescue and relief efforts. The Indian Air Force mobilised its Il-76, C-130J Hercules and C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft and Mi-17 helicopters for Operation Maitri. Up to eight Mi-17 helicopters are being used for missions such as air-dropping relief materials.[73][74] The Indian Air Force evacuated over 500 citizens from Nepal late Saturday through Sunday morning, and hundreds more on Sunday.[75][76] Ten flights were planned for Sunday. These would airlift army forward hospitals, teams of doctors, nurses, and paramedics, engineering task forces, water, food, National Disaster Response Force teams, medical personnel and equipment, blankets and tents.[77] Prime Minister Modi vowed to wipe the tears of every person in Nepal in his Mann Ki Baat address to the nation.[78] An Indian army mountaineering team recovered the bodies of 19 mountaineers from Everest base camp and rescued at least 61 stranded climbers from Mount Everest.[26][27][28] Indian Air Force helicopters reached Mount Everest on the morning of April 26 for rescue operations.[33] Indian Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar announced that six more National Disaster Response Force teams would be sent to Nepal in the next 48 hours. He also announced that the aircraft sent to Nepal would not just rescue Indians, but citizens of other countries as well.[79] By Sunday end, India dispatched a further 10 tons of blankets, 50 tons of water, 22 tons of food items and 2 tons of medicines to Kathmandu. Nearly 1,000 National Disaster Response Force personnel were also pressed into service, and a "big evacuation" of Indian citizens was underway through the road route. The government deployed 35 buses to evacuate stranded Indians in Nepal via two routes - Sonauli and Raxaul - along the Indo-Nepal border. India started issuing goodwill visas to foreigners stranded in Nepal and mobilizing buses and ambulances to bring them to India by road.[80]
Iran — President Hassan Rouhani offered “sympathy and condolences” to the people of Nepal and to their President Ram Baran Yadav. Rouhani wished for a swift recovery of the injured and patience for the bereaved families.[81] Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham also expressed sympathy with the Nepalese government and nation over deadly earthquake that hit the country earlier in the day, offering condolences to the families of the victims and wishing immediate recovery to those injured in the disaster.[82] The Iranian Red Crescent Society declared its readiness to assist and to cooperate with the NRCS. The IRCS prepared a 40 ton humanitarian relief package to dispatch to Nepal; however, due to the critical conditions of the Kathmandu Airport, the package will be delivered through one of the neighboring countries.[83][84][85]
Iraq — Iraq said they were working with Iraqi citizens in Nepal.[citation needed]
Ireland — Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that the families of at least 51 Irish citizens in Nepal could contact them and that they were working to contact the people.[86]
Israel — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dispatched a search and rescue team that included physicians to Nepal, and expressed Israel's willingness to assist in any way possible.[87] Interior Minister Gilad Erdan also affirmed that Israel would assist the families of 24 surrogate babies, 9 of them born prematurely by evacuating them to India and flying them to Israel to continue necessary bureaucratic procedures.[88] On 26 April, two El Al 747-400 jumbo jets carrying an IDF search and rescue delegation, with medical elements and necessary equipment, were dispatched to Nepal. The return flights will carry survivors along with the surrogate infants.[89]
Italy — The Foreign Ministry made €300,000 available for emergency aid to Nepal.[90]
Japan — Within half a day of the quake, Japan's government had offered emergency assistance. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are sending 70 experts; they are scheduled to depart from Narita International Airport on 26 April, and will serve in Nepal for 7 days. The team includes experts from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Police Agency, and JICA, along with rescuers, search and rescue dog handlers, communication specialists, physicians, and field coordinators. The Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) and Shapla Neer announced on SNS that they have begun coordinating their emergency assistance.[91]
Lithuania — President Dalia Grybauskaitė and Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius both offered their condolences and solidarity with the people of Nepal.[92][93] Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that there was at least 49 Lithuanian citizens in Nepal during the catastrophe and none of them were injured.[94][95]
Malaysia — Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said his country ready to extend assistance to Nepal once the access to the Tribhuvan International Airport been reopened.[96] Later, Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that Malaysia will send 20 medical doctors from Mercy Malaysia and SMART[clarification needed] organisations along with a 30-man rescue team and medicines and medical supplies to Kathmandu by C-130 aircraft. The aircraft will also standby there to evacuate all Malaysians in the region to Kuala Lumpur.[97]
Mexico — On the day of the quake, the government of Mexico pledged to provide assistance.[67]
Monaco — On the day of the quake, Monaco's government indicated that it planned to send aid to Nepal "in the coming hours".[90]
New Zealand — New Zealand sent an initial NZD million in humanitarian aid, and has mobilised 45 urban search and rescue technicians.[98]
Norway — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Norway would contribute NOK 30 million to Nepal.[99]
Pakistan — In an immediate statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed "his deep shock at the reports of massive earthquake that has caused devastation in Nepal and Northern India this morning" and, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, expressed "heartfelt condolences and sympathies ... on the tragedy that has caused loss of precious lives and properties". The statement also indicated that Pakistan's diplomatic missions in India and Nepal had been directed "to approach their respective host governments to ascertain the damages caused and the requirement of relief assistance", while the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan stood by.[100] Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Nepalese Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, offering the humanitarian assistance following the midday earthquake.[101] Later that day, Pakistan announced that it was sending PAF's four C-130 planes packed with life-saving emergency equipment—including a 30-bed hospital, 2,000 military meals, 600 blankets, 200 tents, and other assorted relief items[102]—along with military emergency personnel including army doctors, medical staff, and combined ERRA-NDMA's special search and rescue teams with sniffer dogs.[103]
Philippines — The Philippine Government will donate USD million to the government of Nepal. The Philippine Red Cross has also been put on stand-by for possible deployment to Nepal.[citation needed]
Poland — Poland has sent 81 firefighters of the State Fire Service, 12 search and rescue dogs and 6 doctors of Polish Center for International Aid.[104][105]
Romania — President Klaus Iohannis expressed compassion and solidarity with the people affected by the earthquake in Nepal, stating that Romania joins the other countries of the world who have expressed solidarity with the authorities in Nepal and from the other countries affected by the earthquake.[106]
Russia — President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to the President of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav, in connection with the loss of lives and destruction in various parts of Nepal due to the quake. Russia's Ministry for Emergency Situations offered aid to Nepal in addressing the aftermath of the earthquake,[107] and assembled a team of over 50 highly skilled rescue workers with "expansive experience of operations in … areas struck by earthquakes", including China, Haiti, and Turkey. The team was supplied with "top-notch equipment enabling it to work autonomously", and made ready to depart for Nepal "immediately".[108]
Singapore — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong penned a letter of condolence to Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala and dispatched a search and rescue team consisting of 55 members of the Singapore Civil Defence Force; officers from Singapore's police forces, including the Gurkha Contingent, also prepared to deploy disaster relief teams to the area. The government of Singapore "kick-started" the Singapore Red Cross' disaster relief drive with a contribution of SGD.[109]
Spain — On the day of the quake, the government pledged to provide assistance.[67]
Sri Lanka — The government of Sri Lanka took steps to provide emergency relief to those affected by the earthquake in Nepal. On 25 April, special Sri Lanka Air Force flights departed for Nepal with a stock of emergency relief supplies, along with groups of specialist physicians, other medical staff, and medicines.[110]
South Korea — The spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry has extended its condolences to the families and victims of Nepal and pledged to immediately donate USD million, along with a possible rescue team dispatched to assist in rescue missions.[111]
Switzerland — On 26 April, a team of experts—including a physician, a building surveyor, and a water quality technician—were dispatched to Nepal, according to the Swiss Foreign Ministry.[112]
Taiwan — The Republic of China government donated to Nepal in the wake of the earthquake. Executive Yuan spokesman Sun Lih-chyun has also expressed Taiwan's willingness to help with the rescue and research efforts in Nepal.[113]
Turkey — Turkish Foreign Ministry offered its condolences to the Nepali people and government due to the losses in the earthquake and has launched efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Nepal. Turkish aid agencies have sent a search and rescue team made up of 65 people to Nepal.[114]
Ukraine — Ukraine sent condolences to the victims.[citation needed]
United Arab Emirates — On the day of the quake, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa sent his condolences to Nepalese President Ram Baran Yadav; the nation's Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, also conveyed his sympathies. On Sunday, the Ministry of Interior sent an 88-member search and rescue team to Nepal; the team is being led by the director of Abu Dhabi Civil Defence, Lt Col Mohammed Al Ansari, and will liaise with UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination staff on site. The Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, donated DH 5 million towards relief to quake victims.[115]
United Kingdom — Prime Minister David Cameron expressed condolences and offered assistance to Nepal.[116] On 25 April, the UK dispatched a team of humanitarian aid experts to the region, in order to determine the best approach to assisting those affected.[117] The UK also pledged £5 million in aid.[118]
United States of America — The White House and Secretary of State John Kerry offered condolences and pledged to offer assistance. On the day of the quake, the U.S. sent aid and released USD one million and a disaster response team to assist with immediate needs.[119] Kerry stated that USAID was activating an urban search and rescue team.[120] On April 26, Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 1 from Fairfax County, Virginia deployed to Nepal from Dover Air Force Base.[121]
Vatican City — Pope Francis was offering prayers for the repose of the souls of the dead and for those injured as a result of the earthquake.[122][123]
Venezuela — The government expressed its "deep sorrow" to victims in the powerful earthquake in Nepal and offered its expertise in rescue operations.[124]
Non-states
European Union — Commissioner Christos Stylianides said the EU was closely following the situation and expressed solidarity.[125] Furthermore on 26 April, the European Commission announced that they have mobilised in its immediate response to the Nepal Earthquake. The Commission's emergency aid will go towards the most urgent needs in the worst affected areas, including clean water, medicine, emergency shelter and telecommunications. Along with this, the The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated. Through it, Member States, including Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland and Sweden immediately offered urgently needed search and rescue teams, water purification systems and technical assistance.[126]
United Nations — UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asserted that the UN is preparing for a big relief effort. Moreover, President of the Sixty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly Sam Kutesa also expressed his deep concern and sorrow over the devastation. The executive director of the UN Population Fund, Babatunde Osotimehin, also expressed his deepest sympathy to those affected by the earthquake, saying he was "shocked and saddened" and that the UNPF is ready to join efforts to assist Nepal.[127] On 26 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) disbursed four inter-agency emergency health kits to hospitals in Nepal; each kit contains medical supplies sufficient to meet the health needs of 10,000 people for three months. Additionally, WHO released USD 175,000 from the South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population as an initial tranche of emergency health funding to address the immediate needs of victims.[128]
Relief organisations
- CARE (relief agency) provided ground support during the earthquake, assisting people by supplying ready to eat meals, clean drinking water and latrine construction.[129][130] It also created an online relief fund for the earthquake support.[131] Furthermore on 26 April, the European Commission announced that they have mobilised in its immediate response to the Nepal Earthquake. The Commission's emergency aid will go towards the most urgent needs in the worst affected areas, including clean water, medicine, emergency shelter and telecommunications. Along with this, the The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated. Through it, Member States, including Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Poland and Sweden immediately offered urgently needed search and rescue teams, water purification systems and technical assistance.[126]
- Handicap International began distributing crutches and wheelchairs to hospitals in affected areas on 26 April.[119]
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) — On the day of the quake, while preparing to launch an international emergency response, the IFRC released monies from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund, and mobilized resources from its regional hubs, including those in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and New Delhi.[132]
- Médecins du Monde (MdM) sent a surgeon from Paris, along with two other physicians and some logistical support staff on 26 April.[119]
- Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced on 25 April that it was sending four teams of medical and non-medical responders, along with 3000 kits of non-food items and medical supplies to Nepal. The teams and equipment were expected to arrive on the morning of 26 April.[133] MSF also sent an inflatable hospital which has a 60–80 bed capacity, and consists of two wards plus a surgical recovery room.[119]
- Oxfam undertook arrangements to send a team of "technical experts" to the region, with sanitation and water purification equipment.[134]
- The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Nepal branch of the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, announced plans to send volunteers to the region to help with rescue efforts in coordination with the Government of Nepal.[135]
- On 25 April, Save the Children, a non-governmental organization, launched a disaster response on the ground in Nepal, with priorities being "to protect vulnerable children and provide desperately needed relief to families".[136]
- Secours populaire français, a French non-profit organisation, allocated a first emergency fund of €50,000 to assist victims.[119]
- The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee announced that they would be sending 25,000 food packets every day to Nepal with the help of the Indian Air Force.[137][138]
Other services
- Bijay Acharya from the American Nepal Medical Foundation (ANMF) organized a fundraiser called Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund on the Indiegogo website, in order to raise for the victims of the Nepal earthquake. Over USD 100,000 has been raised by over 1500 people within the first day of the campaign being online.[139]
- Facebook introduced a safety check feature where users either mark themselves or their friends and family as 'safe'.[140]
- The secular Humanist organisation Foundation Beyond Belief (FBB) launched a new Humanist Disaster Recovery Drive (HDR) to raise funds for Nepal.[141] As with previous HDR Drives, the "mission is to provide financial support to secular organizations working locally to meet the post-disaster needs of survivors"; 100% of funds raised will be donated to beneficiaries (FBB takes no overhead).[142]
- Google launched the Person Finder tool for locating persons missing after the earthquake.[143] Google executive Dan Fredinburg was killed after the earthquake triggered an avalanche at Mt. Everest.[144][145]
- The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) was activated by OpenStreetMap to provide remote mapping assistance.[146]
- Indian telecom companies Airtel, MTNL and BSNL offered free telephone calls to Nepal until April 28.[147]
- Nepalese-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung raised thousands of dollars through the Crowdrise website for the relief efforts ranging from "medical aid to food and water supplies...temporary housing to rebuilding the nation and its infrastructure[148]." As per the website, has been raised of its goal.[149]
- Transport company Uber announced that it would offer a coupon code that would charge
10 extra per ride in 11 cities across India to contribute to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund towards the earthquake.[150]
- Viber announced that it has switched off Viber Out billing for Nepali users so that they can call any destination for free.[151]