A second consignment of aid that includes 25 tonnes of food, 6,000 litres of bottled water, 1,000 plastic carpets, 300 waterproof tents and 30 power generators will be sent to Nepal to help its earthquake-hit citizens.

It follows the first aid shipment, that the Royal Charity Organisation's (RCO) Bahrain-Nepal Support Committee sent six days after the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Nepal on April 25, leaving thousands dead. It will be shipped to Kolkata by sea and later to Kathmandu by land, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

“This second consignment marks the shift to a new phase in our support efforts. As the public knows, the rescue efforts are now over and Nepal is preparing for the monsoons and winter ahead,” said RCO secretary-general Mustafa Al Sayed.

“The top priority is shelter and we have included waterproof tents, blankets and plastic carpets to protect people who are still living outdoors.

“We are also sending electricity generators, water treatment mobile plants and dry rations to help assure people of core needs.

“Bahrain has donated over 50 tons of food aid and supplies such as tents, blankets and plastic carpets as well as medicines in a very short time.

“Besides this stellar RCO effort, the Bahrain Red Crescent Society too has been co-ordinating donation drives of food, clothing and medicines.

“In addition, we have collected over BD10,000 which shall be spent in reconstruction of housing, hospitals and schools once the dust settles and Nepali authorities give us the go-ahead to help them in their work.”

The consignment was waved off in the presence of Mr Al Sayed, RCO representatives and RCO Bahrain-Nepal Committee members, as well as volunteers who had helped raise funds and collect relief items including Australian brothers Kyle Nair, 14, and Karan Nair, 16, who set up SeismicSupport, a social media site to garner support and collected more than two tonnes of food and clothing, 6,000 water bottles and cash.

Present were also members of the Rotary Club of Adliya, Indian Ladies Association and Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam. - TradeArabia News Service