Focus on Nepali women, teachers, and community leaders alleviates poverty and trauma

New York, NY, May 26, 2015 – A month after Nepal was hit by the biggest earthquake in 80 years, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is providing aid to to tens of thousands of survivors; conducting post trauma counseling and training for teachers and women leaders; and launching a livelihood restoration program for women vulnerable to extreme poverty and trafficking. The organization’s second deployment of development experts will also depart for Nepal and focus on early and long term recovery in the face of widespread fear of another quake, the impending monsoon season, and worsened conditions from a second deadly earthquake.

“While the challenges in Nepal remain great, we have already ensured life-saving support to devastated survivors, remain dedicated to the future of this slowly recovering country, and call on the Jewish and international community to join us in our ongoing efforts,” said Mandie Winston, director of JDC’s International Development Program. “That future will depend on the fortitude and resilience of its citizens – especially women, teachers, and community leaders – who must strengthen and protect families and communities in the difficult months and years ahead.”

JDC, in cooperation with partners on the ground, have already delivered shelter supplies, hygiene items, medical supplies, clean water, and food to over 36,000 people. Its staff experts have aided remote villages, ensuring critically needed basic goods, reinforced local structures, and secured supplies for the monsoon season. Together with the Israel Trauma Coalition, JDC provided one week of psychosocial training and burnout support for teachers and women community leaders who are now using those skills in schools and in women’s collectives in hard-hit areas. The organization has also secured and provided more than 20,000 pounds of medical and shelter supplies for local
hospitals and other humanitarian actors in Nepal.

JDC’s Nepal partners include: the IDF Field Hospital, Tevel b’Tzedek, UNICEF, the Afya Foundation, the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, Sarvodaya – Teach for Nepal, Israel Trauma Coalition, Heart to Heart International, and Magen David Adom.