Nepal — the Kamloops connection

NEWS — A resident from the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo region hasn’t been accounted for since the earthquake and aftershocks that have battered Nepal since the weekend, says MP Cathy McLeod.

The 7.8-magnitude quake struck Saturday near the capital of Kathmandu, and the death toll has topped 4,000.

McLeod said Monday four people from the riding were in the area, three of whom have been confirmed safe. McLeod said there hasn’t been any word from the fourth.

“I can’t share any more information, other than currently we’re just watching, waiting, hoping that they’re able to make contact with their family and, of course, obviously their family is very, very concerned,” McLeod told CFJC-TV.

The station also reported that Kamloops firefighter David Sakaki will leave for Nepal on Tuesday to help with disaster relief efforts.

Sakaki and other volunteers with Global Medic will purify and distribute water, and likely send in field hospitals and hygiene kits.

CBC Daybreak Kamloops reported today that Kamloops resident Byron Bignell will also travel to Nepal to help out. Bignell, waiting for a flight out of Toronto, already had plans to go before the earthquake struck.

He’s done work in Nepal for 20 years. He said he’d received email from friends who are safe and in a tent. “More and more of our friends are reporting in that they’re safe.”

Bignell, who works with the Nepal Community Development Foundation, normally works in community development, clean water and sanitation in rural Nepal. He’s not sure when he can get a plan back.

“It’s very chaotic,” he said.

The Kamloops CBC station also interviewed Ivan Somlai of Kamloops, who lived in Nepal for 15 years. A director with Global Collaboration, he’s made contact with friends in Nepal by cellphone.

He said many structures have been demolished. People are in need of water, sanitation, medical supplies and food, he said.

The station also spoke with Kamloops resident Diana McNutt, who is safe and sound at the American embassy. After the quake she was in a refugee camp where, she said, people were “very calm.”

Another Kamloops resident, Renuka Sapkota, said relatives in Nepal live some distance away from the epicentre of Kathmandu but have been sleeping outside because of fear of aftershocks. “Lots of people are scared right now,” she told Kamloops This Week.

TRU student Sujan Baral is crowdsourcing donations to send home. Donations will be sent via Rotary and Lions Clubs, he said. “I promise that your support will be addressed in the most transparent fashion and will provide accountability to it,” he wrote on indiegogo.com.

There have been more than 70 aftershocks since the main quake hit. Canada has committed $5 million to relief efforts.