The scope of the tragedy, which is still being tabulated, was caught by footage that showed a torrent of water rushing through valleys and sweeping away fleeing victims.
Reuters reports on the aftermath of the flood that damaged whole villages, homes and roads, which came about after a glacier collapsed. It sent mud and rock into a river bordering Nepal and Tibet. As of this week almost 1,500 people have died and another 5,500 are still missing.
According to the Bagmati Welfare Society, 7,570 private houses, 48 government structures, 18 schools and 7 health facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
Eight Days of Hope (EDOH) is stepping up to the plate to help Nepalese communities still reeling. The ministry began by helping rebuild homes in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, which eventually grew from rebuilding to rapid response and even a mass feeding ministry.
Steve Tybor, president of EDOH, says they want to be a part of Nepal's recovery.
“What we're doing for about two weeks is we're raising funds with the commitment that anything that is given during these two weeks, 100% of it, will buy food for families affected by the horrific disaster in Nepal,” Tybor states.
Luckily, he says God has provided the ministry with a connection.
“One of our national partners took me to a safe house for teenage girls rescued from trafficking. I was there a year ago in November, and my heart, when I left, part of my heart was left in Nepal,” Tybor said.
EDOH has its own safe house ministry to help liberate those who are impacted by modern-day slavery, human trafficking. They build and renovate homes where survivors can safely start their new lives.
Tybor says what he saw in Nepal broke his heart.
“Trafficking is out of control in Nepal, and a child is sold for $12 a day, sometimes by their own families,” Tybor states.
That national partner wasn't directly affected by the flood, but neighboring villages were. So, they're doing what they can to help.
“This is a Christian ministry, Restoring Hope Nepal. I know them. I trust them. They're providing food today for 600 families in two different villages,” Tybor says.
EDOH started this mission September 8 and will continue for two weeks till September 21.
Go to eightdaysofhope.com to find out more.
