Media Talkies │Winter kits help communities in earthquake ravished Sindhupalchowk cope with cold

Kathmandu, 1 Feb – Winter has hit Sindhupalchowk district hard with its freezing temperatures and bone-chilling snowfall. Many communities across the district face harsh conditions with little heat or proper clothing. The situation is even worse for the earthquake affected households who still live in temporary shelters.

Rural communities in this district are still far from access to basic facilities such as health, education, and transportation facilities are minimal. In some villages people have never seen a light bulb. Harsh winter weather is the last thing they need.

“It gets quite chilly out here in winter and living conditions get worse when it snows,” said 53-year-old Pemba, a local from Gumba Village Development Committee.

World Vision International Nepal recently distributed winter kits to 2,161 vulnerable households in Gumba and Phulpingkot Village Development Committee, Sindhupalchowk in coordination with local government bodies and line agencies. The winter kits consisted of blankets, mattresses, jackets for children and adults, caps, socks, and shawls sufficient for a family.

On the day of the distribution, 23-year-old Ashmita was carrying her two-year-old daughter on her back and waiting in line for her turn to get a winter kit. The dusty ground made waiting difficult but she was willing to put up with it to get warm clothes for her family.

“After the earthquake we’ve been living in a temporary shelter which is very cold during winter nights. My little daughter is often sick due to the cold and it worries me a lot. These winter kits will help me keep my child warm,” she said after receiving the kit in Phulpingkot.

“The people seem satisfied with the distributed kits. We are receiving positive feedback about the mattresses and blankets. The children really like the warm caps and jackets,” said Khudam, the Distribution Manager of World Vision International Nepal.

The distributions were carried out from January 16 to 23 in Gumba and Phulpingkot.

This feature was prepared by Barun Bajracharya and Ankush Chalise, Development Communicators for World Vision International

See more at: http://lokaantar.com/en/current_affairs/winter-kits-help-communities-earthquake-ravished-sindhupalchowk-cope-cold/#sthash.ov5mALOI.dpuf