Kathmandu (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Eight million people have been affected by the massive earthquake that devastated last April 25 Nepal, and at least 1.4 million are suffering from hunger. This is the estimated toll drawn up by the United Nations.
Three days after the first shock according to the Nepalese Ministry of the Interior the confirmed deaths rose to 4,310, the wounded now exceed 8 thousand. Although the rescue and recovery operations are still ongoing, some denounce poor coordination among government agencies.
The inhabitants of the districts of Sinshupalchok, Nuwakot, Gorkha and Dhading (the most affected) denounce a delay in the arrival of aid. The highest number of victims was recorded in this central region: at least 2,554. The area is followed by the valley of Kathmandu, with 1,427 deaths, and the western region with 231.
The Nepalese army, which is in charge of coordinating rescue operations along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) of India, has promised to organize expeditions to rural areas of the country.
However the biggest obstacle remains locating areas where people could be trapped. "We do not lack the human resources - explains Colonel Naresh Subba, coordinator of the Multinational Military Coordination Centre (Mnmcc) - but we lack the proper equipment".
So far only a thousand injured have been taken to hospital.
Along with soldiers from 10 other countries, the Nepalese army has launched Operation Sankant Mochan to conduct search, recovery and rescue operations in 11 districts. However, so far the team has distributed only 2 thousand pounds of material aid and about 800 tents to Gorkha, the epicenter of the earthquake.
About 800 people, including military and civilian volunteers are working in Kapan, Ason, Shoyabhagwati, Sitapaila and Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. The Indian team is carrying out a recovery program using six MI-17 helicopters.
Pakistan has sent a team of 30 people who have set up a fully equipped field hospital in Bhakapur, in addition to conducting search and recovery operations. Similarly China’s Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR) team is in the Balaju, along with 12 doctors.
Teams from Turkey, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Poland are carrying out rescue operations inside and outside the Kathmandu valley.