Canadian Red Cross sends aid workers and mobile field hospital to Nepal

The Canadian Red Cross is sending its mobile field hospital along with some 20 highly trained delegates to Nepal to assist in the aftermath of the devastating 7.8 earthquake that struck Kathmandu and the surrounding area. The hospital’s focus will be on mother, newborn and child health and will include an operating theatre to assist with complicated deliveries.
 
This mobile field hospital will be similar to the one deployed in response to Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013. Mobile field hospitals help alleviate some of the strain on local hospitals as a result of overcrowding in the aftermath of a disaster.
 
“Thanks to ongoing support from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross maintains the ability to rapidly deploy trained personnel and supplies to hard-hit communities following a humanitarian emergency,” said Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross.
 
“The deployment of our emergency health care unit will provide urgently needed health care to mothers, newborns and children affected by the devastating earthquake in Nepal.”
 
The can treat up to 200 people per day as out-patients and can provide immunization for 1,000 children if needed. The Philippine Red Cross is providing important support to the operation by sending trained staff to assist. 
 
The announcement of the deployment of the field hospital was made in Ottawa with the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie along with Sauvé.
 
This support from Canada is part of the Red Cross Movement’s global efforts to bring humanitarian relief to Nepal. The Nepal Red Cross mobilized 1,500 volunteers and 300 staff who began assisting in the moments after the earthquake by providing first aid and searching for survivors. They are working with authorities to reach some of the more remote towns and villages closer to the epicentre.
 
The Canadian government also announced that it will be matching eligible donations from April 25 to May 25.

Canadians are encouraged to support people impacted by this disaster by making a donation to the Canadian Red Cross Nepal Region Earthquake Fund.