On the morning of April 25, a massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck Nepal and part of neighbouring India. The epicentre was just 80 km from the capital Kathmandu where the destruction is massive. It is expected that the number of victims will increase in the coming hours and days.
Nepal is one of the poorest countries on the planet. Its infrastructure is not designed to cope with an earthquake this strong, the most devastating in over a century.
Since this morning, Development and Peace has been in constant communication with the General Secretariat of Caritas Internationalis. The information we have received from Caritas Nepal, Caritas India, and Catholic Relief Services' office in India leads us to believe that Nepal is going through a major crisis.
The director of Caritas Nepal, Father Pius Perumana, is in Kathmandu where he said: "This is the worst earthquake I have experienced in my life. The aftershocks are still strong. The evidence indicates that this is a major emergency."
Development and Peace is receiving donations from the public to support the efforts of local organizations that meet the needs of victims.
In the face of this tragedy, we pray for our sisters and brothers in Nepal and neighbouring India.
