Children in this impoverished region were vulnerable prior to the disaster and are in an increasingly more desperate situation today, especially those in remote valleys. Many have had no access to basic health care and suffer from treatable ailments and malnutrition. We estimate that half of the 80,000 people injured in the quake were children. |
It is very clear that there is a great need for shelter and food on a large scale. Temperatures are dropping at night and children and families have lost all of their belongings. Medical supplies and support are needed as the injured begin to trickle out of the worst-hit areas. This trickle may soon turn into a flood. |
Our staff members are distributing tents, blankets, food and plastic sheeting to survivors as quickly as we can – right through the night. |
Save the Children has made great strides to address the immediate emergency situation, but huge challenges remain. We are mounting an urgent effort to meet the winter-survival needs of earthquake-affected children and their families. |