One Year Later: World Vision update on Nepal recovery

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 25, 2016 /CNW/ - World Vision joins the people of Nepal in remembering the one-year mark of the April 2015 earthquake - honouring lost loved ones while recognizing the strong community solidarity and support that helped save thousands.

Nepal's recovery over the past year has been challenging, brought on by fuel shortages, harsh monsoons and winter seasons with numerous logistical complexities from the tough terrain. Despite that, a great deal of work has been done to improve the lives of people who were hardest-hit by the quake, according to the international development agency.  

One year on, World Vision has reached 386,984 people in Nepal:

• 20,789 families provided with shelter and non-food items
• 72,000 assisted through repairs of health posts and provisions of medical supplies and equipment
• 118,999 people provided access to clean water

World Vision's Nepal earthquake response:

• Within 24 hours after the earthquake, the agency supported affected people with life-saving food and emergency essentials, such as tarps, blankets and water purification tablets.
• One year later, the agency is focussed on integrating gender and social inclusion, disaster risk reduction and "build back safer" initiatives in its programs to strengthen community resilience.

QUOTES
"Despite significant challenges like fuel shortages, landslides, and road blocks, we've made great strides in meeting the immediate needs in Nepal. Canadians can feel confident their generous donations have made a real difference to improve the lives of people who need it most." – Michael Messenger, president, World Vision Canada.

"Our mission is far from accomplished – recovering from an earthquake of this scale can take 10 to 15 years, especially in such a complex geographic and political environment.  Shelter is the critical issue as too many families are still exposed to harsh living conditions and extreme weather.  Construction of permanent housing must accelerate and we're training local masons and home owners to use building techniques that will ensure new structures are stronger, safer and sustainable." – Michael Messenger, president, World Vision Canada.

"Moving forward, we strive to build Nepal back better, strengthen partnerships and drive innovation in our recovery work together with earthquake-affected people." – Jennifer MacCann, World Vision's Nepal Earthquake Response Director.

"As living conditions and access to basic services continue to improve, we remain committed to meet emergency needs, strengthen resilience and self-recovery and restore a sense of safety for earthquake-affected children and their communities.  We are hopeful that children and families can rebuild their communities and be ready to pursue meaningful opportunities in the future." – Jennifer MacCann, World Vision's Nepal Earthquake Response Director.

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World Vision is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families, and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. Inspired by our Christian values, World Vision is dedicated to working with the world's most vulnerable people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

SOURCE World Vision Canada

Image with caption: "Shelter remains the critical issue in Nepal, as too many families are still exposed to harsh living conditions. The past winter was difficult for Sunita and her two year old son who live in a high altitude area. According to World Vision, full recovery from an earthquake of this scale can take 10 to 15 years. (Photo credit: World Vision) (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160425_C8623_PHOTO_EN_673730.jpg

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