Society of St. Vincent de Paul contacts in Nepal – From the International Headquarters….We are very sad to learn of the tragedy that struck Nepal in the form of a violent earthquake on Saturday 25 April. The first pictures sent by the media show the impact and the distress of the people in the affected zones. The number of victims is rising hour by hour, the centre of Kathmandu is devastated, and strong aftershocks have caused panic among survivors.

The International General Council has been in touch with local contacts such as Joseph Pandian (Territorial Vice-President), Elizabeth Loo (national twinnage coordinator in Malaysia – a country twinned with Nepal). They have been able to get in touch with fellow members in Kathmandu who are currently meeting as a crisis group to organise help for victims.

The conference in Godavari (Eastern Nepal) responded at once by sending tents to shelter families who have lost their homes. Our brothers Joseph Pandian and Gabriel Mondal (Western Asia Regional Coordinator) are working together to organise the help for victims.

According to Elizabeth Loo, the Tipling conference (in a mountainous region) has been badly affected by the earthquake.

The General Council has decided to release emergency aid at once, followed by a second instalment of funds, as soon as the position and the current needs have been properly assessed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nepal and with our Vincentian brothers and sisters, in this country whose first conferences were formed in 2010, and where a training meeting took place only a few weeks ago.