Tearfund assists victims of Himalaya earthquake

A Christian aid organisation is helping an area of north east India that was struck with a strong earthquake last weekend.

Tearfund is working with partner agencies in the Himalayan region, where a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the state of Sikkim knocked down thousands of homes and destroyed roads and buildings.
Dozens are reported dead and thousands will be homeless.

Tearfund bosses have released emergency funding to partner relief teams who are assessing the immediate needs.

“Our partner teams in the region will be doing all they can to help the communities affected,” said Robert Schofield, Tearfund Disaster Management Director.

“Temporary shelter, warm clothing, food, water and other essentials are vital, as exposure at altitude in the remote terrain is their biggest concern.”

Heavy rain has caused landslides, and fog has further hampered the emergency response. Indian Army helicopters, together with other emergency services, have distributed some emergency food packages and medical aid, but the stock of these government supplies will soon run out.

With roads and bridges destroyed and vital communications and power lines down, many areas will be hard to reach. Landslides remain a threat to hastily built new buildings in the state’s mountain towns and villages.

“The quality of buildings in the areas affected will be a critical factor,” Schofield added.

“Whilst we hope for the best, relief teams and local communities are likely to see the consequences of poor building design. It is preparedness that makes the difference in any disaster and so often it is bad and hasty construction that claims lives. After the rescue and relief response we will need to work alongside village communities - learn the lessons that enable families to build better homes.

“This Himalayan region has been expecting a major quake. The one that hit on Sunday may serve as a rehearsal for emergency services, as well as a warning for local construction engineers and planners."