CRC Agencies Respond to Immediate Needs in Nepal

Christian Reformed World Missions and World Renew are responding to last weekend’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal.

It was the country’s worst disaster in 80 years and, as of Wednesday, has taken more than 5,000 lives. The number of fatalities is expected to increase as rescue efforts continue.

“We grieve with those who have lost or are missing loved ones and those who were injured in this terrible disaster,” said Ken Kim, World Renew’s director of International Disaster Response.

World Renew is seeking to raise $3 million to provide emergency relief. Currently, it is is working with its partners in Nepal and international partners to provide water purification tablets, water filtration systems, emergency food, and cooking fuel to those most in need now—and making plans to help meet future needs as the recovery progresses.

According to the United Nations office in Kathmandu, an estimated 6.6 million people live in the 30 districts that were struck by the quake.

Approximately 90 percent of the homes near the epicenter of the earthquake have been completely destroyed. Roads and other infrastructure were also badly damaged.

Many of CRWM’s staff members and partners in Nepal serve at EPTS, a seminary near the epicenter of the earthquake.

The dormitories, where most of these students live, have not been determined safe from collapse, so 61 students have been sleeping outside under tarps until they can find a safe way home.

“We can't just turn them loose without knowing how many buses are available yet and how many roads are open,” said Troy Bierma, CRWM staff member who serves at EPTS. “We have about four days worth of food for them, but need to make plans for all these loose ends.”

Arbin Pokharel, a CRWM partner in Nepal who serves as EPTS’ principal, said that many of the students have received reports from their homes. “Some of the students lost their houses and a few of them lost their family members,” says a message on his Facebook page.

Arbin also serves a network of eight church plants, five of which were severely affected by the earthquake. Members from some of these churches have died and two of the churches have been reduced to rubble.

“We as members of the council are meeting to discuss and coordinate courses of action for relief, repairs, and reconstruction,” said Arbin.

Troy and Faith Bierma are hosting a family who suffered damages to their home and they do not dare return to it for fear of collapse.

CRWM partners with the Mizoram Presbyterian Synod Mission in India to send four medical nurses to Nepal. Although CRWM has not heard directly from these nurses, they serve in the rural areas surrounding Kathmandu and are likely working with those who suffered injuries from the earthquake.

In the early stages of this relief effort, World Renew is  continuing to work on filling gaps as government and NGOs are mobilizing a national response.

In the coming days, additional responses will be added and World Renew will plan to support partners with longer-term recovery efforts.

Visit World Renew and Christian Reformed World Missions to read the latest stories on the responses to the earthquake. You can also learn about how you can donate to help in the relief effort.