In this post, we want to recognise the fantastic contribution of Nepali volunteers to the relief effort. So many people have given generously of their time and resources to help organisations like UMN deliver assistance to the neediest communities.

Yesterday (Thursday 14 May) in Jeewanpur VDC, Dhading, 2000 households received emergency food, hygiene kits and blankets. That’s 50,000 kg of rice, all unpacked from delivery trucks by hand, then repacked into tipper trucks to be sent to distribution centres. About 40 volunteers like Sunawati Mandal spent hours carrying rice bags, their only payment a good meal. The trucking company provided 20 tipper trucks to transport the goods from the warehouse to the distribution centres – all UMN had to do was pay the drivers.
 
At the distribution points, teams of volunteers wearing yellow ribbons gave information to the crowds, organised them into groups, checked off names on the lists and gave out supplies. They even helped elderly people organise their goods to be carried to their homes.

Madhu Sudhan Bhujel worked at the Amalchaur distribution centre from early morning till evening. His house was nearby, damaged but still standing. Madhu said: “I always wanted to do something for my community – this is my opportunity.”
 
Thanks to volunteers like Madhu, an opportunity is also there for many people to survive this disaster, and begin the slow process of putting their lives back together.