ACC International Relief (ACCIR) launched a national Humanitarian Relief Appeal following the deadly earthquake in Nepal at the end of April. ACCIR’s long standing partner, Ps Ashok Adhikari, and members of his church networks have been working tirelessly to assist many families who are in desperate need. So far, the initial relief response has provided over 400 people with food and other basic supplies such as rice, cooking oil, salt and soap.

Initial Relief Response
The need for basic supplies to assist victims is still huge with many people still struggling to find food to feed their families. Ps Ashok and his team will continue to distribute supplies to many more people who have been classified as most in need.

Rebuilding
In the coming days Ps Ashok is meeting with leaders from five districts that were significantly affected by the earthquakes to discuss short and long term plans for relief and rebuilding. ACCI Relief will work closely with Ps Ashok as he plans for the rebuilding stage. We are also organising a trained consultant in Nepal to work with Ashok to assist him with conducting further assessments and in planning effective projects for the rebuilding stage.

Child Protection, Reunification and Anti-Trafficking Awareness

ACCI Relief is working with our fellow Better Care Network members, Next Generation Nepal. We are a network of organisations focused on the issue of children who lack adequate family care, working towards reducing family separation and supporting family based alternative care.

1. Data Collection
Assessments have been conducted to determine levels of unaccompanied and separated children. Teams have conducted assessments in 16 displaced persons camps and hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley. They have also interviewed 626 families in Sindhupalchowk district. The teams have so far found no cases of unaccompanied children and few cases of separated children. In Sindhupalchowk only 4 cases of double orphans and 33 cases of single orphans were found with all double orphans living with other families (next of kin or friends). Data collection teams also distributed food, water, medicines to the most affected families.

2. Local community awareness raising of risks of trafficking
Help desks were established in Chautara and Barabise where data could be collected and information could be provided to local families or families transiting through these towns, raising awareness of the risk of trafficking and child displacement. Each of the 626 families assessed and local leaders have been counselled on the importance of family preservation and the potential risks from traffickers.

3. Child Friendly Space (CFS)
A Child friendly Space (CFS) has been established in Barabise which provides a safe area for traumatised children to be cared for and occupied during the day when their parents are engaged in important work such as rebuilding, seeking medical care etc. The aim of the space is to prevent children from being left alone and therefore at high risk of being trafficked. Children are also provided with snacks, toileting facilities and opportunities to address their trauma through games and access to counselling from a trained psychological counsellor. Overall, the CFS supports rehabilitation and family preservation. 96 children have been registered and are currently using this space.

For more information on ACCIR or to make a donation, visit www.acci.org.au