Nepal hit by 2nd deadly earthquake 17 days later: Nepal Scouts ask for prayers

“In Scouting, we are One, one Family, one World!”

A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the western part of Nepal on Tuesday, less than three weeks after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake shook and claimed 8,000 lives in the Himalayan nation.

Several shakings were felt at midday in Nepal, and scenes of panic replayed in the streets of Kathmandu. Tremors were felt across the region, including the capitals of India and Bangladesh.

“I rushed home to check if my family was safe… it was scary!” said Shrijan Amatya, a Rover Scout. He was helping with relief efforts when he felt the tremor. Everyone was terrified; homes with cracks fell apart completely.

The semblance of normality that was returning to Kathmandu has been disrupted; fear among the Nepalese has gone up again. Thousands more have been left homeless. Everyone is anxious of the coming monsoons season and aftershocks that are expected to continue according to reports.

But the fear among Scouts lasted only as long as the tremors. “Brave Nepal Rover Scouts and Rangers responded immediately, rescuing people trapped under collapsed buildings. We’ve been busy overseeing these efforts and we’ll continue to gather reports and coordinate the actions by Scouts,” said Moses Engadu from the World Scout Bureau - Africa Regional Office, who is in Nepal now.

These Scouts are truly Messengers of Peace. Soon after the tremors, Scouts began spearheading volunteer efforts. They pooled their resources, utilised social media and drew from their own unique skills to coordinate and bring immediate aid to the victims.

“An emergency communication equipment is vital for the coordination of much-needed aid and relief supplies as telecom infrastructures have been severely affected,” said Moses.

“Many of our Scout groups are responding quickly and walkie-talkies would best help us to be on top of the situation and also ensure the safety of our Scouts. Nepal needs more support… and the Nepal Scouts ask for your prayers,” he said.

The Nepal Scouts are grateful for the donations and support given since the 25 April earthquake. And now, they are making an urgent call to all Scouts and the general public to once again extend a helping hand.

From contributions received over the past three weeks, the victims have been provided with temporary shelters, winter jackets, food and medicine. There is a dire need for a more extensive humanitarian assistance to help in the recovery of one of the poorest nations in the world.

Mother nature has shaken the world to awaken the humanity in us. Scouts are out there to extend all the help needed. Let us all do our part to help our brothers and sisters in Nepal in our quest to create a better world.

Donation in cash and in kind continues. To know how you can help, go to scout.org/scoutaid.