Latest Nepal Update w/ Rajiv KC

Gary Kusunoki interviews Rajiv KC about the devastating earthquake in Nepal, the ongoing rescue efforts, and how communities are responding to the disaster. They discuss the current challenges, the importance of prayer, and how listeners can help through donations and support.

KEY TOPICS:

Nepal earthquake impact and response
Rescue operations and challenges in Nepal
The role of community and faith in disaster recovery
How to support Nepal through donations and prayer
Current needs and future risks in disaster-affected areas

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Transcript

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SPEAKER_00 0:01

Welcome to a special edition of God's Stories, where today we focus on the tragic floodings in the country of Nepal. We hope that this broadcast will open your eyes on what's happening in the country of Nepal, and that you would join us in prayer for the country's recovery as well as the people of Nepal to experience the love of Jesus Christ. Once again, here's your host, Gary Kusunoki.

SPEAKER_01 0:23

Today we want to deal with something that is in the news and on the forefront of probably everyone's minds as you're seeing the uh news footage that is coming from the nation of Nepal. And Nepal is very near and dear to my heart and has been a project and an area where Anchored International Relief has worked since uh 2015. And so we are here in the studio with our country director, uh Rajiv KC. So, Rajiv, welcome to the program. Thank you so much. And Rajiv, I just I I can't even imagine what everyone must be going through. I mean, we were there during the the big earthquake in 2015, and and you know, just there's so many things that just remind me uh of that disaster. And, you know, as I see the numbers that are are clicking up, I think the last one I saw is 788 dead and 2,452 people still missing. And it's interesting because that missing number just keeps going up. It's not going down. And as they find more and more people that are missing. So, Rajiv, how how are you doing and how is this impacting you personally?

SPEAKER_02 1:58

I mean, like it's a very devastating moment for each Nepali people, even like a war in the country or outside the country. And personally, for me also it's very heartbreaking uh to see the people and to see the country going in that uh uh in this phase, and uh even like uh you know, knowing some of the people, um, relative and uh some brothers and sisters or friends, uh, you know, family members, you know, they are being swiped away and still missing, and and so and looking at all the pictures and videos and things, you know, it's it's a very difficult situation, you know, personally and as a for a whole nation too.

SPEAKER_01 2:48

So I I know that you personally you have uh a relative and a friend uh that are missing up in that area. Where where were they?

SPEAKER_02 3:00

So both of them uh worked in a hydropower. So uh um my relative just got the job and um so uh and uh there was not good uh you know income here uh to care of the family. So he got the job and it he was just new uh in that uh you know hydropower. And so it's it's sad both of them, you know, um were in a hydropower. Still there is hope for one of my brothers from my former church, and um uh but we don't we haven't heard anything about my ability. But my former church they were able to track a la last signal was in the jungle, so we're just hoping and praying that he would be found alive.

SPEAKER_01 3:52

So yeah, we will definitely be praying for that. What's his name? Tidas? Tidash, okay. Well definitely be praying, and if everyone can be praying for that, that they will be able to find him alive. They are finding um a lot of people. I just saw yesterday they found a little girl that had been buried for like 60 hours and still alive. And so, I mean, it just brings hope that that um when you when you look at the area and you see it's not just houses that are gone, but um whole neighborhoods, whole sections of of villages that that are just totally they're they're wiped out. I mean, there's nothing left at all. You don't see foundations, you see nothing. And so it is just um overwhelming to think of the force of the water uh as it came down. So, you know, I know you you had a um a meeting, your regular Bible study with the youth yesterday, and um how were they doing? Are a lot of them missing um friends and family?

SPEAKER_02 5:10

It's uh praise God that uh they were not uh any of them were affected. Um, you know, um most of them, you know, were from other side of Nepal or from Katmandu. So uh they were not, you know, um their family or friends, um, you know, so far so far I have heard like they were not uh affected directly, but somehow for sure, you know, either way, they are also devastated and um they're also praying and looking opportunity, how they can be, you know, useful in midst of this time.

SPEAKER_01 5:48

So um the what's the current situation up in that region? And you know, we are beginning to um, well, we're in the process of of getting things ready uh to respond into that area. We know the needs are gonna be overwhelming, really. And um, but what what are you hearing from that area? I know you just talked to somebody that came back, a driver that came back from there.

SPEAKER_02 6:19

So uh still the road uh access is very difficult. And uh we we are very thankful towards government. And uh the way they are very working hard, even at night today tonight, like they are like very uh working hard to find the people, you know, and to rescue the people uh who are inside the tunnel, you know. So I mean um it's they are doing, you know, um rescuing um you know um action through helicopters and uh uh going to inside the tunnel and through all the drone and so they are trying their best. Um uh but it's still you know it's very difficult to go uh through all those roads that we used to go because there is no road access. And um and uh I heard from the driver, like he he he was also saying that there there are some roads, but it's difficult and um it's not practical like before. But um people are people are finding, you know, um government are finding different small routes uh to go through those places. So um, you know, they are kind of like a finding other options also, but it's still not accessible like before. And so it is it that that is making very hard to do, you know, relief and uh reaching out to people, even like for family members, you know, um uh and but government is like a very helping um to you know uh citizens and um also you know um with with the setting a different refugee camp in different places and the army army deploying army and uh um managing, you know. So that's that's that's kind of like a current situation right now.

SPEAKER_01 8:19

And then um, well, I heard that that there's over 32 bridges that have been just totally destroyed, um, which obviously I mean those are are what's providing access to these communities, some of which are totally cut off. Excuse me. Um, and so tell me, are have you been able to contact any any of the churches up in that area?

SPEAKER_02 8:47

Uh uh I mean like uh the the breezes and uh you know it's uh swiped away and uh up in the um you know Roswa, Dunce, you know, uh from Nuakur, it's very hard to go up there and uh government is you using helicopters to you know transport people from different places to safe places, and uh and uh so we we had uh some uh communication uh through our friends, and uh so we were able to contact with them, and so they are also trying to um you know coordinate with the government and see how they can reach other people, their neighbor, the friends, and also people like nearby area uh who are like very uh you know directly affected and are in need of basic things. So we were able to contact with them, but we are just waiting for their full confirmation and coordination uh from them.

SPEAKER_01 9:51

So I know that that um from other disasters that that I've responded to. I mean, the only way to really get an idea of what's going on and what we need to do is to get get on the ground there. So I know you are trying to uh plan a trip uh up there to do a small assessment. Um well I don't know how small it's gonna be because here the the disaster is overwhelming, but but to do an assessment just to see if we can uh contact some of our our uh brothers and sisters in Christ up there and church friends and and work on helping them and helping them help others. So um kind of it I don't know if you even have a plan, but do you what do you what's on your heart?

SPEAKER_02 10:44

Yeah, I mean like there's there's really need, and uh well we've been um looking and uh news uh news and um also like uh the people that we also know, they are also trying to do um uh so many you know uh assessment uh in this time. And uh uh we just you know try to connect with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Uh and um we have a plan that uh you know once we uh get the confirmation and coordination from the people that we know on the ground, so we will just uh you know follow their plan. And uh mostly we have been we have seen that there's so many basic needs like you know muscul mosquito rippalments and like tarps because it's uh it's still raining and uh and and you know uh even like a small like uh sanitary pads and uh and uh solar lights because electricity there is still you know no electricity. And the and the uh hard part is uh you know those who were affected directly by the floods, they they are for sure like affected, but those who were not affected and up in the hills, they are also getting affected because there is no way to transport, there is no way to buy foods or things, you know. And so it's kind of like a you know, more the days are passing by, more you can feel their great needs, you know, amongst the people. So my heart is, you know, even like we reached 20 families or 10 families, you know, we want to do in a proper way, you know. Our heart is always to show love of God, and we want to do it in accent also.

SPEAKER_01 12:24

So we're definitely praying as and and I know people have so many people uh have called and written me and sent me texts and saying, you know, are you guys responding? And you know, so um, you know, my answer to them is is yes. And what we're doing now is we're we're just uh beginning to stockpile the supplies that that we know we're gonna need, um, but we got to get up into that area. So we need people to be praying that we'll be able to get the uh assessment team up into the area and then maybe give you some reports from uh directly from the field there as as they become available. But I I think you know, when people see this and they want to help, and you know, of course, uh if people want to give, they can go to our website uh www.anchoredrelief.org. And uh you can click on the donate tab, and then there's a tab for Nepal relief. And so you can give directly to that 100% of what you give is gonna go to the field. We don't take out an administrative percentage at all from this. So um again, that that's uh anchoredrelief.org, and you could just do anchoredrelief.org forward slash donate. That gets you to the donate page, and then you can click on uh Nepal Relief. And so, you know, I I guess what we know is the biggest thing that people can do is pray. So so what do we need to be praying for?

SPEAKER_02 14:07

First, first and foremost, um, you know, I would request to pray for those who are missing, that they would be found alive. And uh it's it's um, you know, so that is the first priority. And uh another would be, you know, pray for those who are working very hard, you know, all the armies and you know, first responders and you know, police, and also local people and those who are you know taking it, you know, risking their life to save other lives. So please be praying for that and also for relief and restoration. You know, it's gonna take for a long time. So, you know, we are not very in a hurry, but it's still, you know, we are you know just looking, you know, um how we can uh you know uh coordinate the the local you know uh people so and uh you can pray for that also, that it would be done in a way um that that also for us, like we want to respect our government and also because everything is you know lineup you know has to go through government uh because that's uh how it is account accountable and uh and also you know managed uh in a systematic way. So pray for um for all the uh relief work also that that is happening, that it would be done and the relief would be you know reached to those people who are in really need of. And uh and we praise God that there are so many people, you know, countries supporting for Nepal, and uh and it's it's a huge blessing. At the same time, we need more because it's gonna uh the flood is still coming in different different places, the landslide is happening. It's not only one thing, it's done, and okay, um, because that has impacted a lot, and uh and it that that's gonna impact on landslide area also. So so you know you can pray for that also for future, you know, uh protection, you know, that's that's something uh we are aware of also, and government is also, and you can pray for that also.

SPEAKER_01 16:24

Well, you know, I know too the the last thing we want to do is just rush into an area and actually get in the way. So uh we want to make sure that what we do is strategic and and that it's actually uh going to help. Um, you know, we're not just going up there to to get pictures, we're we're going up there to to to help. And so we want to make sure we are gonna be a help and not a hindrance. And so we're we're uh it seems to, I mean, it's been only a few days, but but I know for you and for me, it's like painstakingly slow because we're we're anxious to to get in there and do something. But uh we know that God's in control. And so, Regiv, why don't you uh lead us in prayer for your nation and the people?

SPEAKER_02 17:17

Okay. I would love to do that. Thank you, God, once again, for this wonderful time and to spread the news uh that uh is really important so that people can pray, whoever listens this um podcast, and also um stress their hand uh to reach uh the needs of people who are desperately um you know uh in need of Lord. We just lift off our nation, Nepal, uh Lord, and and we we lift off all the Nepalese people, God, especially those who have really affected by this uh great uh flood, God. And I just pray that uh pray that those who uh are still missing that you would uh you know that you would help to find them alive, and also those who are uh working day and night to rescue all those people. Um just pray for the safety and wisdom and strength. And also, you know, there's so many still happening, natural disaster landslides going here and there, and so many is trauma, especially also we pray for um uh emotional um in the damage that is happening because of all these things, losing people, and the disaster is continuing here and there with different things, Lord. I just pray that you would protect the mind of the people, and at this at the same time, we just pray that you are the hope uh in the midst of this situation, God. Jesus, we pray that we lift your name on high, that you would be preached, you know, in action and words, and Lord, and uh the gospel would be preached in the midst of this. And maybe it's not like uh we go and share, but through our actions, our prayers, you know, um does it help that to show that Jesus, you are the real hope in midst of all disaster destruction. And Lord, I thank you. Thank you for this time once again, and um to pray and um share the things that is happening in Nepal. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SPEAKER_01 19:38

Amen. Well, thank you, Rajiv. Um I know it's getting late there in in Nepal, but I appreciate you coming on the broadcast and and just sharing. We are praying for for you, the staff there, and all of our friends and family, and and um just we're we're looking to what God would have us to do. So be careful when when you go up there, and we'll be praying for for safe travels because the road is normally treacherous, and so I gotta imagine now it's like really um over the top. So so be really careful. I know that that the drivers and the vehicles we go in are are good and we use them all the time, but but be very careful. And uh, and for those of you watching, we will keep you posted on Instagram at Anchored Relief or on our blog, anchoredrelief.blog. Um, and uh we can we'll keep you up to date of everything that's going on. All right, Rajib, thank you. Thank you so much. We're we'll talk to you soon.

SPEAKER_02 20:55

Talk to you soon.

SPEAKER_01 20:56

Okay. Bye.

SPEAKER_00 21:01

Thank you so much for joining us for this special edition of God Stories. We ask that you continue to keep the country of Nepal in your prayers, as well as the native folks of Nepal, as well as our missionaries serving there. If you would like to financially contribute to the relief efforts of Nepal, go to our website at anchoredrelief.org and please follow us on our blog at anchoredrelief.blog as well as our Instagram and YouTube channels to receive the latest updates on what's going on in Nepal.