Nepal quake: Singaporean NGO Mercy Relief to deploy two-man team
PUBLISHED ONApril 26, 2015 12:47 PM
SINGAPORE - Singaporean humanitarian non-government organisation, Mercy Relief, will be deploying a two-man preliminary disaster response team to Kathmandu, Nepal.
They will be there to ascertain ground needs and procure initial batch of relief supplies, said Mercy Relief in a statement on Saturday.
It added that its focus will be to address the pressing needs for shelter, medicine, food, water and hygiene kits.
Mercy Relief will also dedicate $60,000 for relief efforts.
An earthquake measuring 7.9 magnitude struck in Lamjung, Gorkha district some 81km northeast of Kathmandu around midnight on Saturday.
At least 18 aftershocks have since been recorded. The total death toll as of Sunday night stands at 2,300.
The Nepalese government has declared a state of emergency and appealed for international humanitarian assistance.
"Mercy Relief's rapid response team will have boots on the ground on Monday where a more comprehensive assessment of the needs of the affected communities will determine how we can most effectively assist with their immediate recovery," said chairman Michael Tay.
The NGO will also launch on Monday an urgent appeal for donations nationwide for the victims of the quake.
klim@sph.com.sg