CECI responds to devastating floods in Nepal

    MONTREAL, Aug. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - CECI is launching a fund-raising campaign
to assist people in Nepal affected by one of the worse monsoon floods the
country has seen in recent years. For several weeks torrential rains have
caused serious floods in the densely populated southern plains, the country's
agricultural heartland, as well as triggering landslides in the mountain
regions.
    Michel Chaurette, CECI's Executive Director points out: "It is critical
to provide humanitarian support to Nepal given that the country has only
recently emerged from a period of armed conflict and the new democracy is
still fragile. The Nepal government is struggling to meet the urgent needs of
the population in this time of crisis. CECI, who developed a strong network of
local partners and community organisations during this period of instability,
is capable of assisting populations that are vulnerable and hard to reach. A
number of these local organizations are already at work assisting populations
and they need our support.".
    The Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that
94 people are dead, more than 21 570 families are displaced and 56 000
families are affected by the flooding which has immersed 33 districts covering
half the country.
    "The situation is changing each day and the needs are growing." states
Kathleen McLaughlin, Director of Humanitarian Assistance at CECI, who is in
direct contact with CECI's office in Nepal. Ms. McLaughlin adds: "CECI has
been present in the flooded districts for several years; we are now
re-organizing our field work to respond to the emergency."
    The assistance that has so far reached the Nepali population is
inadequate to the needs. The United Nations has launched a clear message:
without a rapid response, a health crisis could result from the spread of
disease among populations.
    CECI's humanitarian program will provide assistance in two phases: first,
immediate relief for basic needs: food, systems for clean water supply,
cooking utensils, and first aid. In a second phase, CECI will support early
recovery for Nepalis who have lost their home, their land and their basic
means of subsistence.

    The Center for International Studies and Co-operation (CECI) is a
non-government organization who has been working to combat poverty and
exclusion in the developing world for 50 years. Present in Nepal since 1989,
CECI implements poverty reduction programs with more than 50 local partners,
focusing on meeting the needs of the poorest populations in the plains and
mountain areas.

    Online donations are accepted at the following internet address:
https://dons.ceci.ca/en/. Donations can also be made by telephone at the
following number: 1-877-875-2324 or by mail to CECI, 3000 rue Omer-Lavallée,
Montréal (QC) H1Y 3R8.

For further information:

For further information: Suzanne Ouellet, (514) 875-9911 ext. 224,
suzanneo@ceci.ca; Myriam Fehmiu, cell: (514) 574-7195, myriamf@ceci.ca;
www.ceci.ca