May 12, 2015
JDC Assessing New Nepal Quake Damage, Renews Urgent Call for Aid
NEW YORK, NY (May 12, 2015) - With news of another major earthquake striking Nepal today, this time near country's eastern border with China, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) called on the Jewish and international community to renew its efforts to ensure more aid to the beleaguered South Asian nation. JDC was immediately in touch with its representatives and partners on the ground, located in western Nepal - site of the greatest damage from the April 25th quake that killed thousands and impacted more than 8 million people - and in India, to assess damage and needs emerging from the new disaster zone.
"This latest earthquake is a heart wrenching reminder of the urgency for the continued flow of aid to Nepal, a country that has not even begun to heal from the wounds of the first quake two weeks ago. This new development exacerbates existing challenges on the ground and renews deep fears and widespread trauma. Our hearts once again go out to the people of Nepal at this time of disaster and sorrow," said Mandie Winston, Director of JDC's International Development Program.
JDC and its partners have aided thousands since the first earthquake struck, ensuring medicine, food, water, hygiene products and shelter to survivors in Kathmandu and in remote villages in Western Nepal. The organization was preparing fragile communities ahead of monsoon season and drawing up long term rehabilitation plans when the new 7.3 magnitude earthquake emanating from a point near Mt. Everest occurred. JDC has carried out a three-pronged plan in Nepal to date: the deployment of its expert disaster relief team to Nepal; the support of locally-based partners to ensure medical care and relief supplies within days of the first quake; and the packing and shipping of medical and humanitarian supplies from the U.S.
JDC's partners in Nepal include the IDF Field Hospital, Tevel b'Tzedek, UNICEF, the Afya Foundation, the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, Sarvodaya - Teach for Nepal, Heart to Heart International, and Magen David Adom.
JDC's disaster relief programs are funded by special appeals of the Jewish Federations and tens of thousands of individual donors to JDC. JDC coordinates its relief activities with the U.S. Department of State, USAID, Interaction, the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Israeli agencies, and the UN coordination mechanism OCHA.
About JDC
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is the world's leading Jewish humanitarian assistance organization. JDC works in more than 70 countries and in Israel to alleviate hunger and hardship, rescue Jews in danger, create lasting connections to Jewish life, and provide immediate relief and long-term development support for victims of natural and man-made disasters. For more information, visit www.jdc.org.
April 28, 2015
The past three days have been filled with crises, and Federations have mobilized to help.
Below is an update about recent events in Nepal. The Chronicle of Philanthropy named Federations among the first “U.S.-based aid groups [to swing] into action in response to the earthquake in Nepal…” You can donate to help bring aid to Nepal by CLICKING HERE.
_______________________________________________________
The death toll following Saturday’s massive earthquake in Nepal has risen to more than 4,000. Thousands are injured and tens of thousands are homeless. Aid groups are receiving reports from remote villages across the mountainous country describing devastation, destruction and dwindling resources.
Due to impassable roads and landslides, rescue teams are struggling to reach those in need. Nepal’s poor road network and the limited number of helicopters are also hampering rescue efforts and the distribution of aid.
Needs are expected to rise dramatically as reliable sources of food, water and medical supplies are depleted. Continued aftershocks spread fear and uncertainty. Kathmandu airport is struggling to efficiently manage the influx of aid flights. A number of Jewish organizations are on the ground in Nepal.
JDC, our trusted partner, is actively assessing the situation and working to provide support where it is needed most. Here is what JDC is doing:
- JDC is working with Tevel b'Tzedek to meet immediate needs, including emergency shelter, cash assistance, temporary learning spaces and other community-based support programs for women and children. JDC's team is coordinating closely with Tevel b'Tzedek's Nepalese and Israeli staff and volunteers on the ground, who match JDC's emergency response expertise with their deep knowledge of development issues and communities in Nepal.
- Working together with the Afya Foundation, JDC is transporting medical and shelter supplies to Nepal to support hospitals and health care providers. The Consulate General of Nepal in New York is helping to facilitate and accelerate the shipping process, and the first recipients will be the orthopedic surgery departments at Grande International Hospital and Lake City Hospital.
- JDC is partnering with Heart to Heart International to provide medications, and will send emergency medical teams into periphery areas once road access is secured.
- JDC is supporting Magen David Adom medical assistance work coordinated with the Nepalese Red Cross.
- Our partners continue to work with UNICEF to provide emergency supplies for children and respond to needs for shelter, nutrition, water and sanitation.
Through JDC, Federations have provided immediate relief and long-term assistance to victims of natural and manmade disasters around the globe, including the Philippines, Haiti, Japan and South Asia following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. We continue to operate programs designed to rebuild infrastructure and community life in disaster-stricken regions.
Israel sent an Israel Defense Forces delegation to conduct search and rescue operations in Nepal. It has also established a fully functioning field hospital including operating rooms, x-ray equipment and pediatric care. Here are additional updates on Israeli efforts:
- Following landing delays at the Kathmandu airport, an IDF C-130J aircraft departed Israel Monday morning, April 27, carrying 90 rescue personnel and equipment.
- An El Al 747 aircraft and a second IDF transport plane left Monday afternoon, Israel time, to Kathmandu with some additional 170 rescue and medical staff and 90 tons of medical supplies including a mobile field hospital. A total of five Israeli planes will land today, bringing much-needed supplies and trained personnel to assist with the rescue efforts.
- Fifty Israeli hikers were evacuated by helicopter from the Langtang region to Kathmandu. In addition, 10 Israeli trekkers were evacuated from the Everest region. Approximately 11 Israelis are still considered “out of contact.” Many Israelis are trapped in the mountains along hiking routes. The Israeli government is working to reach them, an effort complicated by Nepal’s nationalizing of all helicopters.
- On Sunday evening, April 26, three premature babies born to surrogate mothers for Israeli couples, along with their parents and an injured Israeli man, arrived in Israel aboard an IDF plane. More than 200 Israeli travelers later returned safely to Israel on board the El Al 747 that transported an IDF delegation.
- Two more IDF planes filled with rescue and medical supplies departed for Nepal on Tuesday, April 28.
- The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Israeli insurance companies are working to rent helicopters for rescue operations.
Chabad of Nepal has been a staple for Jewish travelers looking to connect with Judaism for years. It is also participating in relief efforts on the ground in the following ways:
- Chabad continues to remain an anchor point for Israeli and Jewish travelers in Nepal.
- Chabad is working to identify and locate missing Israelis and reach those in need of assistance.
- Magen David Adom established a first aid station at the Chabad House in Kathmandu.