Severe thunderstorms swept through Southern Nepal in the districts of Bara and Parsa late on Sunday, killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 650. Less than 36 hours after the storm hit, Mountain Heart Nepal, a nonprofit organization of health providers, dispatched a medical team to Kalaiya municipality and began treating patients.

During the clinic, health personnel treated patients with Direct Relief-donated emergency medicines and supplies that were strategically stockpiled in Mountain Heart Nepal’s Kathmandu warehouse. Traveling to Kalaiya in a 4×4 purchased by Direct Relief, Mountain Heart’s team treated 160 patients during the first day of the medical camp.

Many of the houses throughout the region are constructed with mud bricks and bamboo leaving them susceptible to high winds and heavy rains. Focusing on people who have been displaced by the storm, the Mountain Heart Team treated many injuries resulting from collapsing buildings and flying debris.

Mountain Heart staff are preparing next for health conditions that can often occur after disasters. When clean water supplies are interrupted, diarrheal diseases like cholera can occur, and displaced people living in shelters or camps can also be at risk for skin conditions and other health concerns.

Direct Relief’s Emergency Response Team is reviewing emergency grant requests from Dhulikhel Hospital and B.P Eye Foundation who are also planning mobile medical programs in Bara district.

Direct Relief began supporting Mountain Heart Nepal in 2017, and has shipped $1,160,000 in medical aid to date.