GAATW International Secretariat expresses condolences following Nepal earthquake
GAATW-IS would like to express our deepest condolences to all those affected by the earthquake in Nepal this weekend. The loss of life, personal and public property including monuments of national heritage is unimaginable. Our thoughts and prayers are with our members, partners and friends in Nepal, WOREC, Shakti Samuha and all other members of the Alliance Against Trafficking in Women and Children in Nepal (AATWIN), Pourakhi, ABC-Nepal and People's Forum.
We are saddened at the loss of one of our colleagues, Bhawani Shiwokoti from Pourakhi. We had visited her in Dolakha recently and again met up in Godavari as part of our project work, and it is impossible to believe that someone as full of life as her is no longer with us. Our thoughts are with Bhawani's family.
Even as news of the devastation and recurring aftershocks are reaching us, we have been able to get in touch with many of our friends in Nepal. We are relieved to know that they are safe.
We commend the governments, humanitarian agencies, private companies, UN agencies, NGOs and individuals who have come forward to help people in Nepal and support them to face this disaster. We are heartened to hear the stories of volunteers who have been working day and night to rescue people, take them to the hospital or even to give them a decent cremation. It is reassuring to hear that the spirit of mutual support is strong and people are coming up with timely initiatives such as community kitchens and first aid centres.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has set up a website where you can search for the names of missing relatives and friends in Nepal.
If you would like to make a donation to help victims of the earthquake, please get in touch with aid agencies in your country. A short list is provided by the New York Times here.