Nepal earthquake (source: TASR/AP)
Only eleven Slovak nationals had registered their stay via the ministry’s information system but relatives have contacted ministerial staff about others via the diplomatic service line. One Slovak is said to be in hospital with a fracture.
The earthquake of magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale that struck Nepal on April 25 was the strongest in 81 years, causing over 3,000 deaths according to the BBC and widespread damage, with houses and ancient temples collapsing. The dysfunctional airport in Kathmandu has caused jams of tourists eager to fly home.
The Slovaks with whom the ministry is in touch are unharmed and do not need help, the TASR newswire learnt from ministry press department director Peter Susko. He pointed out that the situation in Nepal is still chaotic and has been exacerbated by communication and electric power blackouts. Back on April 25, the ministry established contact with Slovak members of mountain climbing expeditions, who are confirmed to be out of any danger.
Meanwhile, civil association People in Peril has joined the activities of international NGOs and launched a public fundraiser to help the victims of the Nepal natural disaster, said the association's PR manager Eva Sládková. The collected money will be used to provide the most pressing aid for the victims.
Slovak humanitarian organisation MAGNA will provide medical, psychological and social aid to the victims of the Nepalese earthquake, particularly to children, TASR learnt from MAGNA operations director Denisa Augustinová. She reported that MAGNA will send two four-member teams consisting of psychologists, social workers and therapists. “We’ll be providing aid at hospitals and provisional centres for the earthquake victims,” she told TASR. At a later stage MAGNA will also set up specialised centres for children.
