BY Ian Dunn | April 26 | 
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SCIAF director in Nepal to mark first anniversary of earthquake
Alistair Dutton of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund speaks of ongoing need of the people who were impacted by the disaster
SCIAF Director Alistair Dutton is in Nepal to mark the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake that killed 9000 people to highlight the urgent need for continued support.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which hit central Nepal on April 25 last year, left 230,000 people injured, a million in need of emergency aid and 600,000 homes completely destroyed.
The generous support of Scots who donated over £659,000 to the agency’s emergency appeal meant that the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF,) as part of the Caritas Internationalis family of Catholic international aid agencies, was able to help more than 50,000 families with food, temporary shelters and household items like blankets, buckets and soap.
“Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and, despite its long history of earthquakes and a strong one having been predicted, it wasn’t prepared for this disaster,” Mr Dutton (above) said. “People in remote rural areas were particularly vulnerable as their poor quality houses made of mud and brick were quick to collapse and, without savings or other assets, they couldn’t buy food or other essentials, move to less dangerous areas, or start rebuilding their homes and lives.
“The huge generosity of people in Scotland meant we were able to get food, shelter and clean water to thousands of survivors. Lives were saved and real progress has been made but the road to a full recovery for the people of Nepal will be a long one. Now the focus is on rebuilding homes, restoring water supplies and helping families to support themselves, either through paid work or farming, so they’re better able to cope when another disaster strikes.”
To mark the one-year anniversary of the earthquake, Caritas agencies including SCIAF are holding a three-day event in Kathmandu from April 25-28 to look at the challenges and successes in the confederation’s work over the last year and the lessons they can learn for the future.
SCIAF is now supporting a three-year, £18 million, Caritas drive to help 4400 families to construct new earthquake resistant houses, restore water supplies and provide employment to 2000 of the poorest families to help clear remaining rubble and repair damaged roads and drains. A further 2600 families will also get seeds, tools and livestock to help them start farming again.
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