The damage was worse than expected.
New Westminster’s Eoin White finally got through to a group of families he works with in Nepal, and the second earthquake on Tuesday has left them injured and homeless.
“No one has been killed – yet. They are all living in tents now, and in most cases, their damaged homes from the first quake are now completely destroyed,” White said in an emailed update to the NOW.
White, a retired Burnaby fire captain, was already raising money for the Nepalese people who work with his Mount Everest trekking company. Homes that were damaged in the 7.8 magnitude quake on April 25 are now completely destroyed. White’s contacts, who consider him family, are desperate for help or escape.
“A couple have said that it is now hard to stay alive there, and a common request now is a direct plea for help, help to escape, not just to rebuild,” White said. “I feel like I need to run there to their aid right now but must now concentrate even more on my fundraising efforts.”
White set up an online FundAid campaign after the first quake. He wants to raise $35,000, which will help seven families build new homes. So far, he’s raised $15,645. To donate, go to www.fundaid.ca/nepal.
