Diocese of Kohalpur in Nepal Provides Urgent Aid to Earthquake Victims

On the fateful night of November 3, 2023, the residents of Jajarkot and Rukum districts in the western part of Nepal went to bed after a long day’s work, unaware of the impending disaster. At approximately 11:47 PM, a powerful earthquake rattled the region, leaving devastation in its wake and claiming the lives of 150 people, with another 375 individuals sustaining injuries.

The epicenter of the earthquake was traced to Ramidanda in Jajarkot district, approximately 550 kilometers from the capital city of Kathmandu. The impact of the tremors reached as far as New Delhi and other parts of northern India, causing widespread panic and disruption. Communication networks were severed in many areas, adding to the chaos and fear that enveloped the affected communities.

In the wake of the initial quake, three more tremors jolted the region within an hour, further intensifying the anxiety and uncertainty that gripped the local residents. Many spent a sleepless night in the open, afraid of additional quakes and the potential damage to their homes.

The aftermath of the earthquake presented additional challenges as search and rescue operations were hampered by blocked roads, triggered by landslides unleashed by the seismic event. As the gravity of the situation became apparent, it was reported that the earthquake had also affected members of the Believers Eastern Church in Jajarkot and Rukum, claiming the lives of some of the faithful.

In this dire situation, the Believers Eastern Church in Nepal swiftly sprang into action to aid the afflicted. A dedicated team from the church visited a village where over 200 families were victims of the disaster. The relief team distributed 51 tarpaulin for makeshift tents, 7 sacks of rice, 3 sacks of puffed rice, 50 cartons of noodles, and 4 cartons of beaten rice. Additionally, 20 pieces of blankets were provided to offer some respite to the affected families.

Up until that point, no outside assistance had reached this isolated area from any organization or private sector, making the intervention of the Believers Eastern Church all the more crucial.

At this critical juncture, our thoughts and prayers are with all the bereaved families, as they grapple with the loss of their loved ones. We also pray for immediate support to be extended to all the victims by the government and other charitable organizations, considering the dire circumstances they find themselves in. Furthermore, our prayers extend to the relief teams working tirelessly in the affected areas, as they navigate a perilous environment to provide assistance. Lastly, we pray for the swift recovery of those admitted to hospitals, who are battling injuries sustained during the earthquake.