YBC Services is responding to the earthquake in Nepal by recruiting and funding volunteers who will visit the stricken areas to offer medical support and rescue skills. We are supporting the volunteers by organising and funding air travel, and travel to the affected areas, providing local guides, and food and accommodation for volunteers.
YBC MD Yogen Chhetri said: "There are many Nepali people in the UK whose lives will have been directly affected by the earthquake, including among our own local community and YBC staff, and many feel that both the UK and Nepal are equally their homes. YBC Services is keen to offer vital support to people in Nepal, and we invite people to donate with us to support these volunteers."
One volunteer is South Central Ambulance Service paramedic Shirish Gurung, 24. The Farnborough resident said: "I am expecting it to be chaotic and quite emotional as it is my home country and people who are suffering. It is hard to grasp the reality of travelling there. But I know that my 5 years of paramedic experience will kick in and I will be able to deliver healthcare and support, and I am keen to make a difference."
Former YBC employee Jaya Prakash Gurung is in Nepal acting as a co-ordinator for all the vehicles, food and other supplies for the YBC-funded volunteers. It will be a one-day drive along uneven tracks, followed by a further day’s walk to reach remote villages in Gorkha – at the epicentre of the earthquake.
YBC has sent funds to Jaya so that he can set up a supply chain to purchase the food, medicine and other equipment helpers may need, and get it to the affected area, ready for use.
Microbiologist Nabina Gurung is helping YBC Services to coordinate volunteers and resources in Nepal from Farnborough. She has run a health project for young people in Gorkha district for three years.
Nabina said: "The key aim is to reach the maximum number of earthquake victims, and to ensure people have food, water and sanitation. After that we will be working to deliver medicine and improve conditions to help avoid infection setting in. We have 3 main centres for support in the area, which each cover 7-8 villages. Luckily the internet and communications channels have not been too badly affected so we will be able to retain contact with our volunteers once they are in Nepal and hear how they are progressing, and what other support is needed."
Please contact YBC Services if you would like to contribute to our efforts in Nepal. Thank you.
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