News 25.04.15

Vigilance GWT Partnership Earthquake Response Fund

Urgent message follows from our registered charity partner the Gurkha Welfare Trust following the Nepal earthquake of 25th April.

Nepal earthquake: the damage 

Saturday's earthquake has caused swathes of damage across large areas of central Nepal. In addition to the widely covered destruction in and around Kathmandu, entire Himalayan villages are reported to have been devastated by the initial disaster and its aftershocks. A lack of communications and limited access to rural areas mean that the full extent of the ruin remains unclear.

How we must respond

With our staff's safety confirmed, our immediate priority is ensuring the wellbeing of our Gurkha beneficiaries, their families and communities. Today, teams set out from a number of our Welfare Centres to trek into the hills and attempt to reach isolated veterans. Our Welfare Officers will equally provide local situation reports for the national response coordination.

Relief efforts

Our staff and facilities are assisting with wider relief efforts wherever possible. In particular, our medical staff have been re-deployed to the most heavily affected areas – notably Gorkha, Lamjung and Bagmati (where Kathmandu is located). We will provide all possible medical aid over the coming days. 

Donating

To donate to the GWT's Earthquake Response Fund please follow the link indicating in the comment box provided your close affiliation with Vigilance Properties:

https://www.gwt.org.uk/donate/earthquake