From the very first days after the devastating earthquakes hit Nepal in April, INF has been on the move trying to reach out to some of the worst affected areas with medical help, relief supplies, and rebuilding of houses and communities. The support and dedication of some of our local partner organisations, including churches, has been equally vital. One of INF’s partners, Asal Chhimekee Nepal [meaning ‘good neighbours’], has been very active in its efforts of reaching some of the worst affected villages with relief supplies. Following is the latest update on ACN’s efforts.
In the village of Barpak, one of the epicenters of last year’s earthquake, people are slowly starting to rebuild their lives. Almost every house in this village was destroyed, but day by day the broken houses are being salvaged and tin is replacing tarpaulins and tents. However winter has hit hard and with an altitude of 2,200 m, for those who are still in tents or even those living under tin, it’s very cold. This week INF has had the privilege of supporting Asal Chhimekee Nepal [ACN] and the Pokhara Christian Community in distributing blankets, hats, shawls, and jackets in Barpak and Laprak. At the request of local government authorities, 1,457 households received these supplies which will help keep their family warm over the next cold months.
From midday till midnight on Saturday, local Christian young people were helping with packing the supplies into bundles and then onto trucks. The team of ACN and INF staff, along with church members and young people, traveled together with trucks of supplies to Barpak on Sunday. The local people welcomed the group and were very grateful for the practical help. Everyone who received the supplies had a story to tell of their experience of the earthquake and how they have been surviving since. As well as the practical help, the local church pastor said that he was especially grateful that churches in Pokhara were showing such concern for the people of Barpak. He said it demonstrated to the whole community that churches are willing to care for those around them.
PRAY | GIVE | GO | SHARE – Please Pray for the team as they travel back today after distributing more warm clothes and blankets to the neighbouring village of Laprak. Pray that the supplies would be an encouragement to those who receive them.