Situation Dire in Nepal, but we are HOPEful
As the news from Nepal continues to be grim- the death toll rising above 5,000 and the number of injured climbing above 9,000 - I am comforted by the outpouring of assistance being offered by supporters of HOPE.
As the news from Nepal continues to be grim- the death toll rising above 5,000 and the number of injured climbing above 9,000 – I am comforted by the outpouring of assistance being offered by supporters of HOPE.
In just four days, nearly 1,000 individuals have made contributions to support HOPE’s relief efforts in Nepal and more than 120 medical professionals have stepped up, offering to volunteer. These volunteers are ready to deploy as soon as logistics are secured. Companies, like Bristol Myers Squibb have committed funds to HOPE’s relief efforts in Nepal, and along with Quest Diagnostics and SRA International, even started employee giving campaigns to help ensure the Nepalese people get the help the need.
After working through days of flight delays and challenges in securing lodging and basic needs, three members of the HOPE staff are scheduled to land in Nepal this evening. The team, consisting of a volunteer coordinator and logistics and disaster relief experts – two of whom are medical doctors – will immediately get to work. Their top priorities will be securing food, water and shelter for volunteers and the right logistics to get medicines and medical supplies to the areas in most need.
Aftershocks are still a challenge. “When speaking with my contacts on the ground, most people are still living outside, even if their houses are O.K., because of fear,” says team member Kenly Flannigan.
In the next few days, two HOPE nurses, currently working in India, will be among the first volunteers to arrive in Nepal. And nearly $1 million worth of antibiotics designated for disaster relief are packed, waiting to be shipped to Nepal as soon as flights and delivery routes are secured.
Of course, Project HOPE will also be part of all the official disaster relief meetings in Nepal, connecting with other partners on the ground to coordinate relief response.
We thank everyone who has stepped up to support our efforts, and we ask for your enduring support as we deliver urgently needed medicines and supplies and send volunteer medical teams to Nepal in the coming weeks.