Caritas India dispatches relief team to quake-hit Nepal

Caritas India appealed the nation to come forward and offer support for the quake-hit country.

New Delhi:  Caritas India, the social arm of the Catholic Church in India, today sent a five-member team to Nepal to conduct an assessment and analysis of the damage done by the devastating earthquake that hit the country after eight decades.

“Heading the team is Caritas India’s DRR-Technical Manager Anjan Bag who led many disaster responses including Uttarakhand and Kashmir floods,” said Fr. Frederick D’Souza, executive director of Caritas India.

Bag is assigned to conduct the need assessment and analysis for intervention as well as networking of the relief work in Nepal. He is joined by Quality Manager Sunil Mammen.

Another member of the team is Mumbai-based Sr. Hilda Fernandes, who will assist in psycho social counselling while two more members from Camelian task force will provide medical assistance.

Fr. D’Souza, in a statement, said that India team shall deliver effective services, given the composition of the team - experts and experience-holders in emergency responses.

He said that the earthquake has brought everyone, the poor as well as the rich, to the streets as the best of the buildings have developed cracks and are not safe anymore. Many are taking shelters in the tents and space provided by Caritas network.

Even as relief materials started to arrive, over 1500 kilograms of rice, 174 tents along with many a packets of dry food items like noodles with cooking oil and biscuits were distributed amongst most needy families today

“Water and food continue to be a major concern and Caritas teams who have arrived from across the globe are fighting against all odds from disrupted road connectivity to shortage of power supply affecting flow of communication and coordination in relief work,” explained Dr. Haridas from Caritas India stationed in Nepal since the earthquake hit the country.

Caritas India appealed the nation to come forward and offer support for the quake-hit country.

The funds coming to Caritas India will be given to PMO fund. People who are interested can also make payment to Caritas International Headquarter based in Rome by logging onto caritas.org

Caritas organizations from all over the world are mobilising resources. The cost of major relief articles which includes drinking water, tent, rice bags, dry food cost 700 rupees and can support a family for a week.