
Meeting 14-year-old Sostik Paudel on the 31st in the village of Gerkutar, Nuwakot, Nepal, he showed the scratches all over his body, saying, "I thought I was going to die while being swept away by the river for 10 minutes." Desperately trying to grab onto something, the skin on his palms and wrists was red and peeled.
His younger sister Sostima (9) was also swept away by the torrents, falling deep into the water before being barely rescued. She sustained abrasions all over her body.
About 100 households that lost their homes and foundations due to the massive flood on the 26th are scattered and accommodated in shelters such as school classrooms and auditoriums. Govinda Paudel (39), who miraculously escaped harm, and his family of four are also staying in a shelter. His house disappeared without a trace due to the flood. His wife Asimuta (32) said, "It normally takes 10 minutes from our village house to this school shelter, but because the road was cut off, we had to take a detour through the jungle road, which took four hours."
On this day, the South Korean non-governmental organization (NGO) "Hope Friend Korea Food for the Hungry International" visited the displaced people with emergency relief supplies. This is the first case of a Korean NGO providing relief supplies to the affected area. When a massive flood occurred in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot areas of Bagmati Province, Nepal, this NGO formed a relief team centered on missionaries Park Jae-myon and Moon Kwang-jin who were staying locally. Additional personnel joined from Korea, and about 10 Koreans residing in Nepal also accompanied them.
Considering the relief policies of the Nepalese government and the situation faced by the displaced people, the relief team prepared daily necessities rather than food such as rice, focusing on floor mats, hygiene kits, and solar lanterns. Missionary Moon stated, "As a result of local investigation, we confirmed that basic food such as rice is being supplied through the government and large relief organizations. We adjusted the items based on the judgment that what displaced people living on the muddy floors of public facilities immediately need are bedding, sanitation tools, and lighting."
When the distribution of relief supplies began under the cooperation of Nepalese government officials, the displaced people unanimously said, "The school in this village was also built by KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency). It is so good and we are grateful that Korean people are helping us."
Before coming to Gerkutar, the relief team also delivered relief supplies to 50 households of displaced people in Ward 4 of Bidur, Nuwakot. The Bidur area faced difficulties even with access. The asphalt road leading from Kathmandu to Bidur was cut off by soil cascading from the mountains. This road was originally a border road connecting all the way to China. Mud overflowing from the river and soil pushed from the mountains mixed, turning the area including the road into a giant mire. Even adult men found it difficult to get out once their feet sank in.
In Ward 4 of Bidur, displaced people from the Simchour village, which was submerged by the flood, had gathered. Most of the displaced people are accommodated in government office auditoriums or temporary shelters, but because dozens of households stay in a narrow space, there is a lack of even a place to lie down. Maintenance of sanitary facilities was inadequate, and even electricity supply was cut off, making living conditions extremely poor.
Jitendra Saman (50), a resident of Simchour village, said, "The house and land near the bridge were all washed away by the water and are completely gone." He added, "Fortunately, all seven members of our family survived, but there is no house or land to return to right now. While receiving relief supplies is helpful, we hope the government will come up with restoration measures as soon as possible." Bruno Bahadur Tamang (22), a resident of the same village, also said, "My family of four was not hurt, but we lost our house and land and are currently staying in a temporary accommodation. Having gone through such an event, my mind is blank and I am clueless about how to live in the future."
Vijay Achare (38), the manager of the water supply center in Ward 4 of Bidur who rolled up his sleeves and helped distribute relief supplies at the site, said, "In Simchour village, there are many displaced people who lost their families and foundations as their houses were completely submerged. Even now, we are helping the displaced people in a state of emergency while searching for missing family members."
Departing from Kathmandu at 7:30 AM loaded with relief supplies, the relief team successfully delivered relief supplies to a total of 220 households by touring three villages until late afternoon.
Missionary Moon stated, "After finishing the distribution in the Bidur and Gerkutar areas, we plan to continue additional relief activities in accordance with the road restoration situation in isolated areas."
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