World Concern staff continue work in Nepal after the second earthquake

A young woman picks her way through the rubble
of her village.
Photo courtesy World Concern

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake shook the devastated country of Nepal on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Staff from Shoreline-based World Concern were already on the ground in Nepal after the first earthquake on April 25. They all reported in as safe, but reported scenes of devastation and people in terror.

At least 68 people were confirmed dead and more than 1,000 injured from the quake, which was followed by numerous aftershocks, including one magnitude 6.3 tremor. The epicenter was southeast of Kodari (Sindhupalchowk District), 76 km northeast of Kathmandu – an area already affected by the April 25 quake.

World Concern staff were able to reach some of the
more remote villages with food and shelter materials
Photo courtesy World Concern

World Concern had been assessing areas hit by the April 25 quake and responding to the needs of people in remote communities with food, shelter materials, water purification tablets, and emergency supplies.

“The worst hit villages are east and east southeast where we hiked in. All homes are gone there,” wrote World Concern Asia Area Director Mark Estes in a brief update from 3,500 feet up in the Himalayan foothills. “On the move. Distribution complete for this morning.” 

“One of the aftershocks sounded like a truck hitting a wall,” said Chris Sheach, deputy director of disaster response, who is coordinating World Concern’s relief efforts from Kathmandu.

Women stand in the rubble of their homes.
The 12 year old girl in front is safe but still terrified.
Photo courtesy World Concern

Because of the quick response of donors, emergency supplies quickly reached families in the village of Bhotechaur in the Sindhupalchok district, where about 1,200 families live.

Villagers described the terrifying moments after the earthquake. Tears flowed as they recalled people screaming and running from buildings as they crumbled. Rubble and the sound of Injured people were crying out for help filled the streets.

Here's a staffer's blog post from right after the second quake.

World Concern is a Shoreline-based Christian global relief and development organization. Areas of expertise include disaster response, clean water, education, food security, child protection, microfinance and health.