DONATIONS pledged by Coventry residents to help support the rebuilding of home in Nepal a year on from a devastating earthquake have exceeded £26,500.
Catholic charity CAFOD distributed the donations and have helped to provide immediate emergency supplies, people shelter from the cold and rebuild family homes in 18 of the worst-hit areas.
Among the fundraisers, Cardinal Newman Catholic School held a non-uniform day and raised over £1,200 for the Nepal Earthquake Appeal.
In total, more than five million people were affected by the two earthquakes in April and May – and attention is now turning to the massive task of reconstruction and rebuilding lives.
CAFOD director Chris Bain said: “The generosity and compassion shown by our supporters in Coventry towards the people of Nepal has been remarkable.
“Thanks to them, our partners can restore dignity to thousands of people affected by last year’s devastating earthquakes.”
Kamal Thalea is one of the thousands of people who has received support.
The 33-year-old lost her two daughters and her mother when their house collapsed on top of them.
Since the disaster, Kamal has received support from CAFOD and now receives training to grow vegetables and has her own tomato garden.
She said: “I am earning an income and my daughter can continue going to school.”
In Gorkha District, CAFOD’s partners have trained more than 250 construction workers in earthquake-proof techniques.
Training has also been given to families who plan to rebuild their homes more safely as soon as they receive the government shelter grant.
And some have already started using the new techniques.
CAFOD Coventry representative Elizabeth Wignall said: “The response last year was incredible and to now see people able to earn a living and sleep safely because of their support is humbling.
“We must also remember that hundreds of thousands of families are still living in temporary shelters.
“With the rainy season approaching there is an urgent need for the government of Nepal to speed up the pace of reconstruction so families do not spend another monsoon under iron sheets and tarpaulins.”
