Seven days have gone by since Global Karuna established its base camp at Nepal Academy, Kamladi, Kathmandu. Each day has presented its unique set of challenges, and we have found our camp evolving to fulfill the needs of earthquake victims and our operations on a daily basis. We have shifted the organization of our camp three times to accommodate the great number of supplies we were able to collect, including nearly two tons of goods from our Lumbini Team and a daily incoming supply of over 1,200 liters of water. Like most relief agencies, we have focused primarily on the immediate needs of survivors, such as food and water. Unlike most relief agencies, we have also worked very hard to fill the critical need for shelter by procuring and distributing tarps. We have even gone the extra mile to make tarps ourselves, since there is a shortage in Nepal and India. We have also distributed basic medical care packages to those in need.

During the first week, Global Karuna filled a critical gap in relief efforts by connecting local volunteers with the supplies they needed to bring aid to their communities. By creating, supplying, and supporting these local relief pathways, Global Karuna has been able to help many families in hard to reach villages, which have been ignored by large international agencies (see our Preliminary Assessment Report for more information). This week, the Global Karuna base camp has been a place where anyone who is willing to help, be it an individual, a family, or an organization could come and donate or collect supplies to provide to Nepal’s most vulnerable people. Indeed, we are slowly building a reputable reputation as we supply local hospitals, orphanages, and remote communities with the basic needs for survival and operation.

At the end of this challenging week, Global Karuna has identified a shift in the needs of survivors. As more and more relief agencies provide basic and immediate needs, we are looking ahead. Our assessment of Nepal’s most devastated district, Sindhupalchowk (see our Field Report for more information), revealed that as food and water resources reach remote areas, a focus on reconstruction is critical. Monsoon season is quickly approaching, posing an imminent threat of food insecurity and health epidemics to homeless survivors. Especially in remote areas, some villages have lost 80-90 percent of their homes. Therefore, the supply of tarps and basic building materials will be absolutely essential to these communities, and Global Karuna is shifting its supply distribution to meet these needs.