We know you have all been concerned about the devastating flash flooding in Nepal and appreciate your patience as we have worked to gather details on the situation. We have good news to share! All ANSWER staff are safe as they live in Kathmandu, which is away from the flooded area. We support students in schools throughout Nepal, and the vast majority of ANSWER students also live outside of the flooded area. Bal Khatri, ANSWER-Nepal’s Director in Kathmandu is sending regular updates on the situation. Only 3 schools with ANSWER students are in the affected region and 1 school is not located where the main flooding occurred. It has been confirmed that students from the other 2 schools are safe. Following is Bal’s recent report regarding one of those schools:

I was able to talk with the vice principal from one school (Shree Sahid Jagat Prakash Jung Shah Sanskrit Secondary School) from the flood hit area in Nuwakot and all the students from their schools are safe. They got the information about the flood just 15 minutes before the flood hit their school area and they were able to evacuate all the students to the safe place within 15 minutes.

Remember this is happening in a remote area and it is the monsoon season, so roads are often closed by mudslides, even without flash floods. We will continue to gather information, but power, roads, bridges and the internet are down in the affected area. Feel free to call, text or email us if you have any questions. Our apologies for further delays in getting the latest issue of the Newsletter to you. Expect it soon. Thank you.

Gratefully,
Earle Canfield, Executive Director ANSWER
616-516-0955

Lisa Durham
lisa.durham@answernepal.org