International Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) is undertaking work on several fronts to alleviate suffering in the wake of the series of severe earthquakes which hit Nepal in April and May.
Nepal’s government confirmed that the death toll from the two earthquakes exceeded 8,500, making this the most deadly disaster ever to have hit the nation. Hundreds of thousands of people camp outside, having lost their homes and possessions. Many believers have experienced tragedy, too.
TWR Nepal staff survived the earthquakes. The team on the ground are distributing aid in partnership with NGOs and government agencies, while starting the long-term work of helping people to recover and treat emotional and spiritual trauma. Regular TWR gospel programmes continue to be broadcast on local FM stations, alongside reports about the crisis.
Meanwhile the TWR team on the Pacific island of Guam have begun emergency shortwave broadcasts into Nepal carrying specialist trauma counselling programming. The initial broadcasts have been in English while translation into Nepali, Hindi and Bhojpuri are hastened.
Typhoon Dolphin struck Guam on 16 May, causing damage to the transmitter, but thanks to a back-up generator and water supply, only around 30 minutes of programming was lost and the broadcasts continue across the Asia-Pacific region, including Nepal.
