Cologne/Kathmandu: Malteser International is increasing their complement of medical personnel in earthquake-hit Nepal. On Tuesday, the emergency relief experts Dr. Marie Theres Benner and Arno Coerver reached the Nepalese capital. A further team of experienced relief workers consisting of a doctor, a first aid assistant and a paramedic will assemble in Kathmandu at the weekend.
Malteser International is currently assessing the situation in regions outside of the capital. Dr. Marie Theres Benner and Arno Coerver – an expert in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) – are initiating aid measures in Gorkha, the region at the epicentre of the earthquake, and in the Dhulikhel district, which was also heavily affected.
Meanwhile, a specialist in emergency medicine from the Malteser International assessment team is treating patients at the German embassy and at the airport in Kathmandu – also taking care of those who have been psychologically affected by the disaster. He reports that “People are heavily traumatised. Some of them so much that they can’t even tell you their name.”
In Kathmandu, the situation remains tense as access and the delivery of aid continue to be limited by the small and damaged airport.
Malteser International has been working in Nepal since September 2012 on projects to reduce the risk of damage from catastrophic flooding, as well as improve the provision of basic water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in the country.
For editors: We are able to provide Malteser International experts both in Nepal and at our Headquarters for interviews.
Contact: Tel.: +49 (0)221 9822 155, or email: petra.ipp(at)malteser-international(dot)org.
