Dear Confreres and Friends,

A massive earthquake of 7.9 magnitudes on the Richter scale and a series of aftershocks hit several parts of Nepal on Saturday morning, leaving over 1,805 people dead and 4718 people injured. Roads and buildings, many of them historic landmarks such as the Dharahara Tower, in the heart of the capital city, in Kathmandu, were destroyed. Thereafter, there have been 13 aftershocks which have caused a lot of damage to life and property. A clearer estimate of causalities and damages could take days. People took shelter in open spaces, the palace venue and schools. The residents of the capital are out on the street. Many foreign tourists are stranded at Thamel. The most affected districts, besides the three districts of the capital, Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, are Kavre Gorkha, Nuwakot and Makwanpur in central Nepal and Ramech-hap, Okhadhunga and Bhojpur in the east. Some 40 of the 75 districts have been affected. Tremors through the afternoon lasted as long as 45 seconds. Although Nepal bore the brunt of Saturday’s high intensity earthquake, tremors from the shallow quake triggered house collapses resulting in 51 deaths across the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

Nepal has urged countries to send aid to help it cope with the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck on Saturday. We are sending a team to Nepal for the initial assessment and information along with CARITAS and CRS and getting our team ready by putting together a rescue and relief mission. We are ready to send our healthcare volunteers, medicines and other essential supplies as well at the earliest.

We just know that thousands have lost their lives, thousands have lost their houses and beloved people, thousands of dead bodies are found without identity and again thousands are missing. It takes a long time to build their life back to normalcy. We request all of our dear friends, benefactors, well-wishers and healthcare volunteers to support this cause with their prayers and other contributions according to their means and possibilities. We shall ensure that whatever financial aid you may like to provide through the CTF-India reaches the people for whom it is intended to.

Contribution may be made to “Sneha Charitable trust for CTF Relief Fund”. Bank Details: The South Indian Bank, Sarjapur Road Branch. A/C Name: Camillian Task Force, A/C No: 0518053000007532 and IFSC Code SIBL 0000518 (Exempt u/s. 80g (5). Thanking you in anticipation.

or

A/C Name: Casa Generalizia Ord. dei Chierici Reg. Ministri degli Infermi, Bank: Banca Prossima SpA, Sportello di Roma IBAN IT62 G033 5901 6001 0000 0070 486 Swift: BCITITMX      Cause: Emergency Nepal.

Yours sincerely

Fr. Baby Ellickal MI, National Director, CTF                                                                              Fr. Aristelo Miranda, MI, International Coordinator, CTF