Wednesday, May 13th 2015
 

Second Nepal Earthquake


 The Fred Hollows Foundation was incredibly saddened to hear of a second significant earthquake that hit Nepal yesterday. The earthquake has killed at least 68 people and caused extensive damage to regions already devastated by the April 25 earthquake.

Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal; many have lost loved ones and hundreds of thousands have been left homeless following these traumatic disasters.

We have been told that all of The Foundation's staff, as well as staff at The Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu are safe. Since the first earthquake, the team has been delivering relief to those in need throughout Nepal, with the distribution of food and relief materials, and deployment of medical teams.  Already, thousands of families have been provided with relief packages in some of the hardest to reach places. 

Anyone wishing to support Tilganga’s ongoing relief efforts can do so by writing NEPAL in the comments when making a donation HERE.

We will keep you updated as more information comes in. 

 
Friday, May 1st 2015
 

Update On Nepal Earthquake


 The Fred Hollows Foundation has launched an appeal to raise $100,000 for emergency relief being led by its partner in Nepal, The Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology.

The people of Nepal desperately need our help. With the rising death toll, and displacement of families all over the country, thousands are in urgent need of assistance. 

The Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology based in Kathmandu – an incredible eye hospital that Fred Hollows himself helped establish along with the inspirational Dr Sanduk Ruit – are in a unique position to reach people in some of the Nepal's most remote regions. They have already started relief operations throughout Nepal, with the distribution of food and relief materials, and deployment of medical teams.  Already, over 2000 families have been provided with relief packages in some of the hardest to reach places.  

"This tragedy has left thousands of people homeless, helpless and broken. We have vowed to be a part of their healing process with the help of our international partners." - Dr. Sanduk Ruit

Many of our supporters have asked how they can contribute to the relief efforts being undertaken by Tilganga. The Fred Hollows Foundation are now accepting donations to assist Dr Ruit and his team to provide aid in remote areas of Nepal. 

Support Tilganga's relief efforts by writing NEPAL in the comments when you make a donation HERE.

To provide immediate support, we aim to raise $100,000 for The Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology’s relief operations. Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the immediate needs of this relief effort, The Fred Hollows Foundation will direct donations to urgently needed sight restoring and broader eye-health work in Nepal and other developing countries around the world. We rely on our supporters to fund all of our projects and thank you for allowing us to allocate your donation to provide quality care where the need is greatest. 
 
Tuesday, April 28th 2015
  

"This is one of the worst natural disasters in my lifetime....there will be thousands left homeless in many parts of Nepal where life is much more difficult. For these families, to tune up to normalcy will take them a very long time. The most affected areas has been the areas where Tilganga is most active and we understand the locality very well."Dr. Sanduk Ruit, Medical Director of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, Kathmandu.  
 
Sunday, April 26th 2015
 

Statement on Nepal earthquake by The Fred Hollows Foundation CEO Brian Doolan


 Staff and supporters of The Fred Hollows Foundation are keeping the Nepali people in their thoughts, as the country responds to yesterday’s devastating earthquake, CEO Brian Doolan said today.

“The Fred Hollows Foundation has international teams currently visiting Nepal, with staff from Australia, Bangladesh, Vietnam and Pakistan there now,” Mr Doolan said.

“I am very relieved to have confirmed they are all safe, and we are making arrangements for them to return home as soon as possible, over the coming days.

“I am told they spent last night sleeping outside of their hotels, in Kathmandu, and about 30km outside of the city, which had suffered substantial damage.

“It was not surprising to hear that the Nepali hotel staff did everything they could to make their visitors comfortable, even though many of them had just lost their own homes.

“So many Australians, including from The Fred Hollows Foundation, have visited Nepal for work, tourism or adventure, and share a special bond with the extraordinarily generous and hardworking Nepali people.

“I have also spoken with the remarkable Dr Sanduk Ruit, who runs the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, high in the Himalayas.

“Dr Ruit and Fred Hollows were close friends and worked together to establish the Institute, to provide quality eye care to some of the poorest, most isolated Nepali people.

“I was glad to hear that so far there have been no reports of any of the dedicated Institute staff losing their lives in the earthquake, and we hope this remains the case.

“We have heard some initial reports of some damage to the Institute buildings, but obviously that is yet to be assessed.

“We are also waiting anxiously for news about Nepali staff working in the more remote community eye centres, and for word on damage to those buildings.

“Our hearts go out to the families of everyone who has been killed or injured, and to the rescuers working to save people still trapped in the rubble.

“We will do whatever we can to support our friends and colleagues at Tilganga in the days and weeks ahead.

“We appreciate the support from all The Foundation’s friends, who been concerned about Tilganga, and we will share more information as it becomes available.” 

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