First year after earthquake in Nepal: We helped to restore medical aid and life of local communities

Bratislava, 25th April 2016 – Today we commemorate first year after devastating earthquake in Nepal. On 25th April, one year ago, Nepal was hit by earthquake of magnitude 7.8, just northwest of the capital of Kathmandu. The death toll was more than 10.000 victims and more than 14.000 people were injured. The area was hit with a second 7.3 magnitude quake just 17 days later, on May 12, causing further damage and suffering for those who had survived the initial disaster. Most damaged areas were Gorkha, Lamjung and Sindupalchowk and densly populated valley of Kathmandu. Quakes devastated 90% of infrastructure – not only roads, but schools and hospitals as well.

MAGNA reacted at once. Only week after first earthquake we had our team in field. MAGNA operated in three villages of remoted most damaged area of Sindupalchowk. Team of 48 MAGNA health and social workers ran three health centres and ensured psychosocial support at 24 schools. MAGNA distributed and transported to inahbitants living in remote areas 3000 hygenic packages. The medical centres were supplied by medicaments and medical necessities.

Over the course of six months we treated 17 500 people. Social and health workers visited them daily in their remote settlements. MAGNA sent 150 mobile drive outs with medics to distant isolated regions in the mountains. By means of psychosocial activities and group meetings we helped the traumatized victims to cope with the frightening experience of earthquake, loss of relatives and family members. We tried to find together the motivation for recovery.

„We thank to all our donors. Thanks to their contribution we could finance the mission in Nepal. The healthcare centres restarted to work, new babies are born and after the traumatizing period, the local communities are recovering and got back to regular life,“ says Martin Bandžák, director of MAGNA humanitarian organization.