Earthquake in Nepal Malteser Hilfsdienst sends medicine

At least 3,600 people died following the devastating earthquake in Nepal. The exact extent of the disaster is still unclear, but it is clear that the region urgently needs help. Malteser International now sent an exploration team. First emergency measures are initiated.

At least 3,600 dead after earthquake
The severe earthquake in the Himalayan region has killed at least 3,600 people in the country, according to the Nepalese Ministry of the Interior. In neighboring India at least 62 people died in the quake and at least 20 in China. The exact extent of the disaster is still unclear. International aid has started, but helpers face great difficulties: airports are damaged and roads are destroyed, making it hard for rescuers to get away. The Malteser Hilfsdienst has also initiated the first emergency measures.

Malteser International sends exploration team
According to a press release, Malteser International sent a reconnaissance team to the crisis region on Sunday morning. The helpers are supposed to get an idea of ​​the situation on site and initiate initial emergency measures. The Nepalese government had declared a state of emergency after the earthquake and requested international help. Oliver Hochedez, Emergency Relief Coordinator at Malteser International, said: "People in Nepal are in dire need of help: local health care has collapsed, hospitals are overcrowded, medicines and dressings are missing. Partly people dig through the rubble with their own hands. Communication on the ground is difficult, mobile phones hardly work. "

Aid organization from all over the world arrived
Various aid organizations from all over the world have meanwhile arrived in the region or are on their way there. The Malteser Hilfsdienst Wesseling (North Rhine-Westphalia) prepares to transport more than half a ton of drugs, which are sent by Malteser International as a relief delivery for Nepal. This material can be used to provide medical care to 10,000 people for three months. "In particular, medical material is urgently needed there," said Ingo Radtke, Secretary General of Malteser International. These emergency health kits mainly contain anesthetics, pain medication, surgical equipment, infusions, water purification tablets and disinfectants.

Little information from rural areas
From the rural regions there is so far only scant information. The Nepalese authorities assume that the number of victims will continue to rise. The earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale had shaken Nepal and surrounding countries India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China on Saturday. The epicenter of the quake was reportedly located about 80 kilometers from the capital Kathmandu. On Sunday, there was another aftershock of magnitude 6.7 in the region. (Ad)

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