Nepalese community baffled at government’s silence on quake aid

Chinese rescuers carry the body of a victim at a building collapse site on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal

The Macau government has allegedly not responded to the Nepalese migrant community’s repeated pleas for them to provide support to Nepal’s disaster relief operations, said Sudarshan Thapa Magar, president of the Non-Resident Nepali Association Macau (NRNA).
The Nepalese community leader said that he sent requests to several public departments for aid soon after the devastating earthquake struck the country on April 25. However, one week later no answers have been given.
“Maybe tomorrow [Monday] I will see someone at 11 o’clock at the Office of the Chief Executive,” he told the Times yesterday.
The president said he felt surprised at the local government’s unresponsiveness, given the international aid offers that are coming one after another, but had no idea why “until now, the Macau government is quiet.”
“The Chinese government and every other country now help, except the Macau government: why? Please, I request of the Macau government, can they announce some help?” he pleaded.
Macau’s neighboring SAR, Hong Kong, has announced a funding proposal of HKD50 million by the government in aid to the earthquake-struck region. Its CE, Leung Chun-ying, also stated that the government would provide disaster relief and financial support, and called for citizens’ attention and help.
Meanwhile, more international aid is pouring into the quake-jolted country, where millions of people are in desperate need of disaster relief as rescue and relief efforts continue to reach remote areas.
“If the Macau government still doesn’t respond, I want to meet with the CE Chui Sai On, and try to see what’s going on,” said Mr Magar.
The Macau government’s response to humanitarian crises happening in the region (excluding China) has not always been steadfast. Its relief support and message of sympathy to the Philippines after the destruction of typhoon Haiyan in early November 2013 were provided three weeks after the disaster, following public outcry.
Nevertheless, the Nepalese immigrant leader recognized that local citizens and companies have shown more support.
Last Thursday, the Henry Fok Foundation donated HKD1m to Nepal for disaster reconstruction through the Macau Commissioner’s Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The death toll from the 7.9-magnitude earthquake has climbed to reach 7,057 and the number of injured has surpassed 14,000 as of yesterday.
At sunset on Friday, about a hundred Nepalese migrants gathered for a candlelight vigil held at the A-Ma Temple, in memory of those affected by the earthquake.
The Times contacted the Government Spokesperson’s Office yesterday. Given the fact that it is estimated that 4,000 Nepalis live and work in Macau and that countless countries and regions in the world are providing help (including China), we asked whether the local government intends to send funds (or other kinds of aid) to Katmandu. The Times also inquired if the slow response to humanitarian crises that happen in the region (excluding China) could be attributed to the fact that the MSAR doesn’t have the competence to deal with foreign affairs and thus eventually needs to wait for China’s approval before sending help.
The Spokesperson’s Office replied yesterday evening stating that after contacting several public departments, no records of a “formal written request” for financial support from the Non-Resident Nepali Association Macau had been received. An office representative also revealed that the meeting at the CE Office mentioned by Mr Sudarshan Thapa Magar “is not confirmed.” Brook Yang with Paulo Barbosa

More int’l aid pours into quake-jolted Nepal

The international community has sent more aid to the earthquake-hit Himalayan country, as the full scale of the disaster becomes more apparent.
Apart from the climbing death toll and injuries, the disaster has also driven tens of thousands of people into open spaces and temporary camps in the Kathmandu valley and the rest of the worst-affected districts. Moreover, the risk of disease outbreaks remains and is only expected to grow.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), around 1.7 million children are now in urgent need of immediate aid in the worst-hit areas.
In response, the organization launched a USD50.35 million appeal to get humanitarian assistance to children and their families. It has delivered 29 tons of humanitarian supplies including tents, water purification tablets and first-aid kits.
As of Friday, China has earmarked two rounds of humanitarian aid worth 60 million yuan for Nepal. More than 350 Chinese engineers, doctors and rescue workers are now working on the ground.
Neighboring regions such as Singapore have also deployed search and rescue personnel and facilities, as well as food and medical supplies. The Myanmar government is arranging a special aircraft to transport foodstuff and other relief goods weighing over six tons into the country.
On Friday, the United States announced the deployment of helicopters to support US humanitarian assessments and the delivery of supplies to hard-hit areas. Before that, the country had pledged USD12.5 million in humanitarian aid and a nearly 130-person response team along with 45 tons of cargo.