Save the Children to distribute 800 tents to quake victims

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 13: Save the Children, with the support of European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Operations, has received 800 life-saving winter tents, which it would distribute to the earthquake-affected people of Jajarkot and Rukum West districts. 

The tents were handed over to Save the Children by the EU Ambassador to Nepal, Veronique Lorenzo, at an event in Kathmandu. 

Since the earthquake, 32 people, including three children, have died of extreme cold. 

The tents provided by the European Union (EU) will be dispatched to the earthquake-hit areas in close coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority. 

The tents are fire retardant and waterproof and equipped with stoves.  Each tent will have 23 square meters for living and are apt to resist harsh winter conditions.

“The EU is happy to extend this meaningful support of tents and other logistics that will be distributed to the earthquake victims in Jajarkot and Rukum West.  The support that has come at a favourable time will help save lives of the women, infants and the elderly in the two earthquake-hit areas,” said Ambassador Lorenzo.

The 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Jajarkot and Rukum West on November 3 has hugely impacted children, pregnant women, older people and people with disability. 

Heather Campbell, Country Director, Save the Children in Nepal, said, “The freezing cold has resulted in the deaths of many, and there is an urgent need to ensure that people most marginalised and impacted are protected. These winter tents supported by the EU will ensure temporary protection and shelter and help save lives.”