August 28 2008

President of Nepal visits SOS day care centre for flood victims

27/08/2008 - The first President of the Republic of Nepal, Ram Baran Yadav, visited the relief camp for victims of the flood disaster in eastern Nepal on 25 August.

Photo: SOS Archives
President Yadav went to the SOS day care centre during his visit to the disaster area - Photo: SOS Archives

President Yadav appeared to be particularly taken with the work that was being done for 250 children in the SOS day care centre, which was set up as part of the emergency relief for families affected by the flooding in the Sunsari district (see report from 25 August 2008).

At Sarada Higher Secondary School, SOS Children's Villages Nepal is caring for a total of 560 people who were forced to flee from their homes and villages as a result of the bursting of the dam on the Kosi River. Staff members and teachers from SOS Children's Village Itahari are entertaining the children during the day by organising different games, painting, dancing activities, etc.

Photo: SOS Archives
SOS Children's Villages is focusing on the care for children - Photo: SOS Archives

SOS Children's Villages Nepal is organising basic medical care for around 3,600 people who are temporarily staying at another relief camp at Bhagwati High School.

Thousands of people had to leave their villages after the bursting of the dam on the Kosi River. Many of them are staying in temple complexes, schools and other public buildings in Inaruwa, the administrative centre of Sunsari district.

Voluntary organisations and NGOs are providing food and other relief supplies for people affected by the flooding, many of whom are women and children.

Photo: SOS Archives
The bursting of the dam on the Kosi River, which flows through Nepal from Tibet and on to the Indian state of Bihar, also led to devastating floods in India. More than two million people had to flee from the flood water in one of the poorest regions of India and around 250,000 houses were destroyed.