A BRADFORD volunteer who helped deliver emergency aid to more than 1,000 victims of the Nepal earthquake has said this week's second quake has caused "nothing short of hell".
Salman Malik, 28, visited the disaster-hit country as part of a Humanity First UK medical team, having been involved with the charity as a fundraiser for the past four years.
More than 8,000 people were killed in Nepal's worst quake in 80 years on April 25, and at least another 65 have died since another 7.3 magnitude blast on Tuesday, with fears that figure could rise.
Mr Malik, who lives in Bradford city centre and owns Print Plus UK in Bolling Road, had previously undergone disaster response training with the charity before his arrival in Katmandhu on April 29.
"There was lots of structural damage to the buildings, with people living in dens and under tarpaulins," he said yesterday.
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"Due to the amount of landslides caused by the quake, the only means of transport was either 4x4s or helicopters, but there was a real shortage of them."
Mr Malik said the Humanity First team travelled to Batase and Tinmane, villages in the Gorkha district of the country, but were faced with "very treacherous terrain" when trying to deliver survival packages.
"We treated 1,003 patients over the two weeks, many with chronic injuries and breathing difficulties," he said.
"But the most common problem was people suffering from psychological trauma, they were just too scared to go back to their homes."
According to the US Geological Survey, Tuesday's quake struck an isolated Himalayan area between the capital, Kathmandu, and Mount Everest, near the Chinese border.
It was followed by a series of aftershocks measuring magnitudes of 5.6 to 6.3 on the Richter Scale, with Kathmandu's international airport forced to close.
Mr Malik said: "My colleagues still out in Nepal say people have described the second earthquake as nothing short of hell.
"People are just outside crying and screaming, they don't want to go near any buildings and are taking shelter in parks.
"Luckily lots of people were able to make a quick exit, so it has mainly just caused structural damage.
"Work is still ongoing, and the charity is currently assessing whether there is a need for the medical team to go back.
"It is going to be very difficult for normal life to resume."
The Disasters Emergency Committee, which is co-ordinating the aid efforts from UK charities, has raised £50 million since the first earthquake struck.
To donate to the Humanity First appeal, visit uk.humanityfirst.org/donate, or text NEPA60 £10 to 70070.
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