Christopher Sharma

The United States will provide US$ 200 million; the Asian Development Bank, an additional US$ 600 million. India will provide a billion, and the European Union, € 100 million, to give the country some fiscal space. Overall, some US$ 6.7 billion are needed to rebuild. As the monsoon season nears, thousands of people still live in makeshift shelters or out in the open, depending on humanitarian aid for food and water.

514 tons of rotten peas found in World Food Program warehouse. It is not the first scandal to hit the United Nations agency. A few weeks ago moldy rice was found. The government ordered an investigation to clarify. The WFP rejects the accusations: "These commodities had already been withdrawn from distribution."

The children were brought to shelters run by Hindu holy men. Minors travelling must be accompanied or have written permission. Twenty-two children who went missing from a yoga centre were rescued before they could be moved to India without authorisation. A Nepali official has been accused of child trafficking.

The China Daily study is not confirmed by Kathmandu. The Nepalese government complains of not having been consulted by Beijing. The earthquake has reversed the natural trajectory of the highest peak in the world and moved the capital by three meters.

To speed up the reconstruction after the earthquake, the government assumes full authority over the area. According to the Natural Calamity (Relief) Act 1982, the state can seize movable or immovable property of citizens and prohibit demonstrations. Some UNESCO sites due to be reopened.

The ritual entails cremating the bodies and 13 days of family mourning. At present, at least 3,000 victims have not been cremated. Many fear that the spirit of the dead may not reach Nirvana. Hunger and poverty are among the reasons preventing the rituals from going ahead. Expert warns that “centuries of ancient Hindu traditions could disappear little by little.”

After four years of deadlock, Nepal’s main parties agree on a 16-point plan and a commission to finalise a secular constitution by the end of June. As the country’s election law and form of government are set to change, Nepal becomes a parliamentary system with a prime minister as the head of the government and a ceremonial president as head of state. For political analyst, it is a miracle “caused by the earthquake”.

Criminal groups want to make money from the quake tragedy. Officials who manage international and government aid receive death threats. False identity to obtain cash subsidies. Difficulties in the education system. More than half of Nepalese children has not yet returned to school. Jesuit: "Catholic schools are safe."

The authorities in Kathmandu decide that minors can travel only if accompanied by a parent or guardian. The trips must be approved by the District Councils. The police report the death of over 5 thousand children, probably kidnapped or exploited by human traffickers. Catholic organizations at the forefront of the protection of children earthquake victims.

Concerns about the continuing aftershocks. Ban focuses on Hindu and Buddhist temples, located on hills and mountains at risk of landslides. The roads leading to the temples will be washed away by monsoon rains, coming in a few weeks. Temples are surrounded by crowded shacks and houses that could collapse along with the religious places.

Mgr Pennacchio spoke at a special mass in memory of the earthquake victims. Hundreds of people attended the service, including Catholics, non-Catholics and diplomats. After handing out pictures of the pope, he called for unity to rebuild the country. During the Mass, the victims of the 2009 cathedral attack were remembered.

Because of the earthquake, the mostly Indian pilgrims who crowded Nepal’s Hindu temples are now staying away. the collapse of hundreds of temples has also left hundreds of holy men unemployed. Beggars too are without patrons, forced to go to aid centres for help.