Nepal gripped by another earthquake

• World Vision concerned for children and communities already struggling in quake aftermath

KATHMANDU May 12, 2015 – World Vision is working to assess potential impacts to already displaced children and communities following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake which struck mid-afternoon on May 12, near Namche Bazar. With a shallow depth of 19km it shook already vulnerable structures causing widespread panic as people in Kathmandu and nearby districts evacuated to open spaces. Reports of new deaths and injuries are being confirmed.

"We felt a very strong aftershock. I could see in the eyes of the people who experienced the first quake - they were just terrified. We all managed to get outside to safety. We are now trying to locate our staff - many are in the field working on our relief operations today. It is a reminder of how challenging this situation is for us all." shares Jimmy Nadapdap, World Vision Nepal Earthquake Response Manager.

Staff working at the Kathmandu operations center felt the quake and safely evacuated outside. World Vision teams are currently reorganizing – checking the safety of staff and people in relief staging areas where dispatched teams are assisting beneficiaries. Relief distributions of food, blankets, tarpaulin and GI sheets for roofing are ongoing and child friendly spaces serve as a refuge for hundreds of children.

Sunjuli Kunwar, World Vision staff in Kathmandu, shares, "What we thought was an aftershock striking us continued as the ground just kept on shaking. It got so strong I dashed out and called our house to check on my son who was playing outside. A lot of people rushed to open spaces stalling traffic. Mobile phones lines were jammed. There's chaos everywhere."

World Vision's Nepal Earthquake Emergency Response has reached at least 30,000 people to date -- supporting the urgent needs of earthquake-affected families in the hardest-hit areas of Gorkha, Lamjung, Sindhuli, Sindhupalchowk and Kathmandu valley in the aftermath of the 7.8 earthquake on April 25. Aftershocks continue to hinder relief efforts and create further anxiety for already distressed earthquake-affected children and communities.