Nepal suffers second violent earthquake
Two weeks ago an earthquake measuring 7.8 claimed at least 8000 lives in Nepal, today (Monday May 12th) another earthquake has ripped through the country.
Early reports say dozens have been killed in this latest tragedy to touch one of the poorest countries in the world. UNI staff at HQ in Nyon have been in contact with UNI Asia and Pacific Director Rajendra Acharya in Kathmandu who says he is safe and will provide further reports as soon as possible.
UNI Global Union and Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA launched an emergency fundraising appeal after the first earthquake. The situation is now bound to have deteriorated and UNI urges all who can to donate.
UNI staff on the ground in Nepal are working with local unions to provide support to those affected by the quake. Speaking from Kathmandu, UNI Asia and Pacific Director Rajendra Acharya described some of the difficulties his team is facing:
”The situation is really tough - no milk for the children, no water, very limited food and medicine. The most challenging part is the continuous tremors which forced people to stay in open fields. People are traumatised - they cannot sleep and have motion sickness. It is like being in the sea all the time.
“The rebuilding process of Nepal is going to be long and difficult. So many basic facilities are gone - homes are gone, schools are gone, our hospitals are overwhelmed.”
The UNI Nepal Liaison Council is working with Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA, Australia's trade union aid agency, to support UNI Nepal Liaison Council affiliates in Nepal in their emergency relief efforts. APHEDA is a fully accredited aid agency of the Australian government. We are calling for donations to fund:
- Medical treatment for injured
- Temporary tent and housing
- Water and food supply
There are two ways to donate:
- Direct bank transfer – suitable union organisations for cash collections at local unions branches and workplaces
- Via the appeal website where we accept credit card donations by unions or individuals DONATE NOW
Bank transfers
Deposit funds to:
- Account Name APHEDA Inc Overseas Project Fund Account 2
- BSB: 062 006
- Account: 1004 9043
- Swift Code: CTBAAU2S
Once EFT deposit has been made please email office@apheda.org.au with:
1. Date EFT was made
2. Amount
3. Name of organisation and email address for receipt
4. Specify funds are for “UNI NLC Nepal Earthquake appeal”
The UNI Nepal Liaison Council has 17 affiliated unions representing 90,000 members in nine trade sectors. It has been present in Nepal since 2002. Its unions include medical unions with direct links to the hospitals in Kathmandu - the UNI NLC is already purchasing and supplying medical supplies to a hospital.
Nepal is one of the world’s poorest countries and its capital Kathmandu is extremely densely populated. Even before the earthquake half of Nepal’s 28 million population did not have access to proper sanitation and lived below the poverty line.