Roots for Life, Austria assistance to the Earthquake affected people

Relief distribution to rebuild the house at Kavre, Mahendrajyoti VDC Karthumka

Raksha Nepal (RN) is a humanitarian organization, which has been working for the sexually exploited girls, women and their children since its establishment in 2004. Its main target is to protect those women and young girls working in the so-called informal entertainment sectors (massage parlors, dance bars and cabin restaurants) from trafficking and sexual violence by enhancing their knowledge, awareness and socio-economic status. Similarly, in the mission of making girls and women free of sexual exploitation, Raksha Nepal is involved and advocates for making the society free of compulsive prostitution."

On the 6^th of May 2015, Raksha Nepal had distributed different relief materials to the people of Mahendrajyoti V. D. C., Kavre who were affected by the earthquake. The place was a two hour ride, to reach the destination. The route leading to the village was rough and very dusty. The closest hospital was available around 10 kms away. The villagers were relying on whatever food they had; despite that, many of the children were starving.

Raksha Nepal was the first organization to approach the village. Since it was not very remote and not far away from Kathmandu, but it had been overlooked or in other words donors have not seen the trouble of that place. The relief material comprised of 30 kgs of rice, one litre of oil, one kg of salt, mats, tents, jeevanjal (ORS), biscuits and noodles. The material was planned to be distributed amongst 45 families; however a total of 60-70 families were encountered. Raksha Nepal planned another visit to reach out to the remaining families. The relief work was very much appreciated, as was obvious by the tears of gratitude and blessings of the victims.

Roots for Life (RL) Austria has been one of the great well-wishers of the RN since long. Ms Carola Gosch, Director of the Roots for Life, a great lady has been assisting the children and women of the RN. Ms Gosch showed a very keen interest to help the earthquake affected people. Hence, on 12 September 2015, the RL decided to reach the Mahendrajyoti VDC and help the earthquake hit households. Chairperson of the Raksha Nepal, Ms Menuka Thapa leaded the project and on her leadership, the Director of Roots for Life Ms Carola distributed 42 bundles of zinc sheet for the 42 households to rebuild their houses.

Finally, the RN highly appreciates the kind deed of the RL and Ms Carola. The local people of the Mahendrajyoti VDC, especially the women, were very happy and said that they will always pray the God for the well being of the Roots for life, Raksha Nepal and Ms Carola Gosch. The people shared that they felt that Ms Carola was an angel sent by the God to their village.

Relief distribution to rebuild house at Solukhumbu Kerung VDC-1, Changshar

In this context, the RN has been getting support from different national and international personnel and organizations to reach the organizational goals. Furthermore, the RN is helping in different humanitarian aspects. The RN contributed a lot towards helping the earthquake affected people. Many districts of Nepal including Kathmandu were badly hit by the quake that occurred on the day of 25^th April 2015 and its regular aftershocks. Hence at the first stage, the Raksha Nepal distributed different relief materials such as: rice, lentils, oil, salt, tarpaulin and mats throughout the many villages in different districts.

However, the main problem among the quake affected people was their shelter. After the earthquake, the monsoon was very near, providing a temporary shelter was a way to protect the people from heavy rain. At the second stage of relief distribution, the RN focused its mission in building temporary shelters. The RN received altogether 85 applications requesting help for reconstructing their houses from a very remote village of Solukhumbu district which was 272 Km far from Kathmandu.

The Solukhumbu district is one of the very remote districts of Nepal and it is really difficult to reach the place. On the reason season, the road is very distressing and it takes more than seven hours long journey from Kathmandu by a bus. Moreover, the road is very steep and slippery in the rainy season. About 50% houses in that place were destructed in a way that people could sit there no longer. During the time of crisis, people and other social organizations were paying their attention only in the places which were linked to the highways and were easily accessible.

In this sequence, the RN in the month of June 2015 led a campaign to build temporary houses for the affected people living in the Changshar village of Kerung VDC ward no. 1 of Solukhumbu district. During the campaign, the RN built and handover 15 houses to the local people and also distributed food such as: biscuits and noodles. Furthermore, daily uses stuffs such as: shoes and slippers were also given to the local people.

Roots for Life (RL) Austria has been one of the great well-wishers of the RN since long. Ms Carola Gosch, Director of the Roots for Life, a great lady has been assisting the children and women of the RN. Ms Gosch showed a very keen interest to help the earthquake affected people of Solukhumbu district. Hence, on 18 September 2015, the RL decided to reach the Changshar village of Kerung VDC and help the earthquake hit households. Chairperson of the Raksha Nepal Ms Menuka Thapa leaded the project and on her leadership, the Director of Roots for Life Ms Carola distributed 160 bundles of zinc sheet for the 80 households to rebuild their houses.

Furthermore, Director of the Roots for Life (RL), Austria distributed school uniform to the forty students of the local school of the Changshar village. She also provided stationery and sports materials to the children. The women of the village seemed to be very happy. The women offered sincere thanks to the Raksha Nepal and Roots for Life where both organizations work for the welfare of women and children.

Finally, the RN highly appreciates the kind deed of the RL and Ms Carola. The local people of the Kerung VDC were very happy and said that they will always pray the God for the well being of the Roots for life, Raksha Nepal and Ms Carola Gosch. Moreover, the local women praised the contribution of Ms Carola and shared that they found Ms Gosch as an angel.