Canadians are responding to the devastating flooding in Nepal, including the Mennonite Central Committee, World Renew, Save the Children and ICNA Relief Canada.
"It was heartbreaking to witness the scale of devastation caused by the floods,” said Durga Sunchiuri, MCC Nepal program director.
"I have never seen such extensive destruction before. Many affected families are struggling without electricity and basic necessities in temporary holding areas, facing significant uncertainty about their housing and livelihoods."
World Renew which is an agency of the Christian Reformed Church, said it is working through partners it has in Nepal.
MCC is working with two existing local partners, Sahayogi Hatharuko Samuha (Group of Helping Hands, SAHAS) and the National Mental Health Self-Help Organization (KOSHISH) to provide emergency relief.
In the first weeks following the flooding, partners will deliver assistance to people living in temporary evacuation centers, including churches. MCC support will include food, water purification tablets, hygiene and dignity kits, bedding, clothes and psychosocial support in the affected districts. MCC will also support recovery efforts following the initial emergency phase.
Both SAHAS and KOSHISH have partnered with MCC to respond to past disasters in the region, including the 2015 Nepal earthquakes. MCC's ongoing program in Nepal already supports food security, livelihoods and nutrition, mental health and education.
In the first days following the flood, MCC also supported immediate search and rescue operations by providing five 5.5-kilowatt generators after power had been knocked out in the Rasuwa district. Rescue workers relied on these generators for relief operations, including locating missing or injured people.
"We hope that this timely and much-needed assistance will go a long way in supporting the affected communities," says Christina Nisha, MCC representative for Nepal.
"We are coordinating our efforts with other non-governmental organizations in the region and are grateful for the resilience and strength of our partners. These trusted organizations hold incredible knowledge and capacity. We welcome your prayers and support on their behalf, as well as for all the people of Nepal."
