26th August 2020
Here in the UK, we rarely experience such physical events as earthquake, mud-slides and landslips. In Nepal, these occurrences present a regular threat to life and communities. One such event happened on 14th August this year in the Sindhupalchowk district.
This area is characterised by narrow valleys and steep mountains. It is highly rural with woefully inadequate health services. The communities are wide-spread and heavily reliant on cultivating the poor soils typical of this hilly region.
Over many years Aquabox has developed a strong relationship with the country. It maintains a contingency supply of aid boxes in Kathmandu, ready for secure distribution, through the service of the Gurkhas, Nepal Armed Police and local Rotary clubs at times of need.
One our aid reaches the areas where it is needed, but this is by no means the end of the story. Roads were destroyed by the August landslip and communities were left isolated. 11 people died and 30+ declared missing. Houses were either destroyed or seriously damaged.
The only way to move the aid which arrived was on foot and often through dangerous and difficult terrain as illustrated by this picture. But the local people met this challenge with alacrity. It is humbling to witness the efforts they were prepared to make to deliver aid to those in need. Every box hauled up the steep, crumbling pathways represented a lifeline for a family, in particular by providing access to safe drinking water where none is available.
All our aid costs a significant amount to supply and distribute across the world and all our income relies on the generosity of donors.
If you would like to support us and help families survive the aftermath of disasters such as this please donate through this website.