Quake strikes in Himalayas region

30 September 2011

Devastation caused by a powerful earthquake in north-east India has been compounded by a series of landslides.

Tearfund has released emergency funding to a consortium of four partner agencies as they meet the needs of newly homeless families. Several of the partners are now applying knowledge gained at a Tearfund training workshop last year in disaster preparedness and response.

‘They will be doing all they can to help affected communities,' says Robert Schofield, Tearfund Disaster Management Director. ‘Interim shelter, warm clothing, food and water are vital, as exposure at altitude in the remote terrain is their biggest concern.'

The 6.9-magnitude quake struck on Sunday 19 September. Nepal and Tibet were also affected, but its epicentre was the region of Sikkim where scores of people were killed and roads, bridges and thousands of homes and buildings were destroyed.

Relentless rain has since led to landslides as slopes became saturated. Huge boulders and debris blocked key communication routes, hampering relief efforts.

‘So often it is bad and hasty construction that claims lives,' explains Robert. ‘After the rescue and relief response we will need to work alongside village communities - to learn the lessons that enable families to build better homes.'

Meanwhile, many local people believe multiple hydroelectric projects have exacerbated the landslide threat as tunnels have been bored through mountains in a bid to create high velocity flows of water.

  • Please pray that God will bring comfort and practical help to those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods.
  • Pray for government agencies and NGOs as they work round the clock to unblock roads, rescue the injured and get aid to where it is most needed.
  • Pray for Tearfund partners: that God will give them wisdom as they seek to meet longer term needs, as well as immediate ones.
  • Pray that the vulnerability of affected communities will be addressed as a result of this disaster, such as poverty and a lack of voice at political level.

Source:  Tearfund