CAFOD working round the clock to save lives after Nepal quake

With the lives of more than eight million people torn apart by Saturday's earthquake in Nepal, CAFOD and its Church partners are working around the clock to provide aid to those in need.

Matthew Carter, CAFOD's Humanitarian Director, said: "Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and the earthquake has had a devastating effect over a vast area. According to the United Nations, more than eight million people have been affected - that's more than a quarter of the population. With roads blocked, power supplies down and remote villages still cut off, the challenges will be staggering over the coming days and weeks.

"But the great strength of the Catholic Church in an emergency is its ability to reach remote areas and to work with local volunteers on the very front-line of the crisis. People have been taking shelter in churches and in tents on church grounds, and our partner Caritas Nepal has been doing fantastic work in supporting them.

"We have also already deployed a specialist team to provide technical expertise, particularly in the crucial area of water, sanitation and hygiene management. As we saw in Haiti, the spread of disease after a disaster can cause a humanitarian catastrophe in its own right. The needs are huge, but we are doing all we can to reach those most at risk."

CAFOD has already committed £100,000, and has launched a major £3 million fundraising appeal with parishes and individuals across England and Wales. It is also part of the joint appeal launched by the Disasters Emergencies Committee.

The earthquake, which struck on Saturday, has killed at least 4,300 people - but, with reports still coming in from remote areas, the true number may be considerably higher. Vast tent cities have sprung up in the capital Kathmandu, but people in cut-off villages are sleeping in the open air or flimsy shelters as rain beats down around them.

Although the Christian population of Nepal represents less than two per cent of the country's population, CAFOD's partner Caritas Nepal is an established aid agency with more than 180 staff across the country. It runs a number of "disaster risk reduction" projects helping communities prepare for emergencies.

Fr Pius Perumana SJ, Director of Caritas Nepal, said: "What I have seen is a lot of destruction. So many buildings collapsed and cracked. I saw a number of bodies on the street. People are still trapped in buildings and we don't know whether they are dead or alive... We are very grateful to the international community for your support, for your prayers and for your trust in Caritas Nepal."

Eleanor Trinchera, who is leading the international CAFOD-Caritas team on the ground, said: "I have never seen so much devastation. While the streets are rife with activity and chaos as people try to find loved ones and friends, the city is paralysed with destroyed buildings, blocked roads, intermittent power and rolling aftershocks."

CAFOD's Matthew Carter said: "An earthquake of this magnitude would have devastating consequences if it hit in the middle of England, so in a country as poor as Nepal the destruction will be enormous. Right now, millions of people need food, water, support with hygiene and sanitation, emergency shelter and essential household goods - like blankets, clothes, pots, pans and cooking equipment.

"We know from long experience that the Catholic community in England and Wales will do all it can to support our brothers and sisters in Nepal. Our prayers and donations will make an enormous difference over the coming days." CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

To donate to CAFOD's Nepal Earthquake Appeal, go to:

www.cafod.org.uk/Give/Donate-to-Emergencies/Nepal-Earthquake-Appeal

is part of the Caritas network of more than 160 Catholic aid agencies worldwide, which work together to respond to humanitarian emergencies.