Estimated 100 Irish in area as Government offers help for Nepal earthquake

Around 100 Irish people in Nepal were affected by the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that ravaged the region at the weekend.

Mon, 27 Apr, 2015 - 01:00

Kelly O'Brien

Many Irish citizens in the area have already contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs which is providing consular assistance.

“Our consular response team in Dublin is liaising closely with our team at the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi which is accredited to Nepal,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan. “We will continue to provide consular advice and assistance over the coming days as the situation evolves.”

The minister said his department is working closely with other agencies in response to the crisis and in seeking to determine “how Ireland can best assist in the coming days”.

Cork man Declan Murphy, from Clonakilty, runs the Just-One charity which has been helping children in Nepal for the last 11 years.

Though he has been living in Kathmandu since 2004, Mr Murphy travelled home last weekend. Since the earthquake, he has been contacting everyone involved in the organisation.

His neighbour, who is from Fermoy, is with her daughter and husband in Nepal and are staying at an open air restaurant run by a Tipperary woman.

Paul Devaney, from Longford, was leading a climb of Everest this weekend, and has posted on Facebook to confirm he and his team are safe.

Another Irish group, from Wexford, had arrived in Nepal the day of the earthquake. While communications in the area have been down, a member of the group managed to text her son to let him know they are safe.

Meanwhile, Oxfam Ireland has issued an emergency appeal and is sending Irish staff to help with the aid work needed in the area.

“Oxfam would be particularly experienced in helping with water and sanitation needs. In the aftermath of a disaster such as this, water bourne diseases can become really rife. Diseases such as Cholera, for example,” said Sorcha Nic Mhathuna from Oxfam Ireland.

“We’ve issued an emergency appeal and we’ve had a great response from the public.”

Charities GOAL, Trócaire and Concern have also launched emergency appeals

Anyone who is concerned about Irish family or friends in Nepal can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01 418 0200.