After a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Nepal on April 25th, rescue efforts have swung into action. Volunteers from The Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), are on blood donation drives ​at ​​one of the largest hospitals in Kathmandu​ ​that has been treating the hundreds of injured. Our centre in Kathmandu has been converted into a shelter camp. Over 200 people who have lost their homes, stayed there last night.

Even as The Art of Living volunteers in Nepal have lost their homes, efforts are on to galvanize relief measures to help others in need.

Updates from June 9

• Our volunteer distributed relief materials and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Balaju Army Base Camp, Kathmandu, benefiting 1700 people.

Updates from June 8

• IAHV & Art of Living Nepal launched ‘Mid Term Rehabilitation Program’ in Nepal on 8th June 2015 at Pashupati Nath Temple, Kathmandu by Meditation & Lamp lighting around a beautiful Nepal map rangoli done by our volunteers to rebuild Nepal.

Updates from June 1

• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop for Teachers, Students and Parents at Universal Secondary English School, Patan, Nepal benefiting 350 people.

Updates from May 30

• Volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Penwood Academy, Kathmandu; Sigma School, Kathmandu and Naya Gaon, Kavre, Nepal.

Updates from May 28

• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop for staff of Image Channel, Nepal benefitting 35 people.

Updates from May 27

• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop for staff, volunteers and grantees of Tewa and Nagarik Awazz at Tewa Dhapakhel, Nepal benefitting 50 people.

Updates from May 25

• IAHV & Art of Living Founder Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar accepted Short/Mid Term Rehabilitation Plan for Nepal Earthquake Relief jointly presented by IAHV Director and Art of Living Nepal Chairman. The Mid Term Rehabilitation program will shortly commence in Nepal.
• Volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Butwal, Nepal benefitting 400 people.

Updates from May 24

• Volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Global IME Bank, Nepal benefitting 50 people.

Updates from May 23

• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Chhauni, Nepal benefitting 65 people.

Updates from May 22

• Volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Clean Energy Development Bank, Royal Palace camp and Ghathapur Bhaktapur, Nepal benefitting 300 people.

Updates from May 21

• Volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop for employees of NIBL and Forum for Women’s Law Development (FWLD), Nepal benefitting 100 people.

Updates from May 20

• Volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Dharmasthalli Camp, Habitat for Humanity space & KU, Nepal benefitting 200 people.
• Volunteers distributed relief material at Moochchowk, Kusunde VDC, Nepal benefitting 110 families.

Updates from May 19

• Our volunteer distributed relief material and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop for soldiers, employees and the general public at Investment Board, Leapfrog Software, Balaju Army Base and Tundikhel Army Camp, Nepal benefitting 900 people.

Updates from May 18

• Trauma Relief Workshop for Medical professionals at Kathmandu Medical College, Kathmandu and Bhaktapur districts of Nepal was conducted that benefited 500 people.
• Volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop for soldiers at Army Base in Airport, Nepal benefitting 70 people.

Updates from May 17

• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Sindhupalchowk, Irkhu, Bhaktapur Army Base and Chautara Army Camp benefitting 1300 people.

Updates from May 16

• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop for soldiers at Bhaktapur Army Base, Nepal benefitting 120 people.
• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Sindhupalchowk, Nepal benefitting 900 people.

Updates from May 15

• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Investment Board, Music Company, National Insurance Limited and the general public at Army Camp Tundikhel, Nepal benefitting 500.
• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop for 70 lawyers in Chitwan, Nepal.

Updates from May 14

• Our volunteer conducted Trauma Relief Workshop for employees of Durdar Square, Shangrila Hotel, Himalayan TV and LSG Sky Chef - a unit of Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Nepal benefitting 300 people.

Updates from May 13

• The Siliguri team sent 6th truck with relief materials to Nepal.
• Our volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Himalayan Bank, National Life, and Army Camp, Balaju, Nepal benefitting 750 people.
• Our volunteers organized blood donation camp at BP path Bhairahawa, Nepal, and collected 70 units of blood.

Updates from May 12

• Our volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Soaltee Hotel lawns for staff guests and Reuters TV team benefitting 150 people.
• Volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at our center and Music School Center where people came for shelter post-earthquake shock, benefitting 250 people.
• A team of volunteers left to Sindhupalchowk district for relief operation. The epicenter of the earthquake was at this district. Volunteers continued their relief work with high morale, distributed relief materials, and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop.

Updates from May 11

• Volunteers distributed relief materials, tents and blankets; provided medical relief and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at different parts of Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Dhading, Gorkha and Kathmandu districts of Nepal.
• IAHV Director conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Sangla, Kathmandu and by another team at World Trade Center, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Updates from May 10

• Volunteers distributed relief material, tents and blankets; provided medical relief and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at different parts of Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk and Kathmandu districts of Nepal.
• Volunteers provided medical relief, conducted Trauma Relief Workshop and build temporary homes at Bungamati, Kathmandu benefitting 60 families.

Updates from May 9

• Trauma Relief Workshop was organized for 40 kids of John Dewey School, Nepal.
• Trauma Relief Workshop was conducted at Nuwakot, Nepal benefitting 300 people.
• Volunteers distributed relief materials and tents, and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at different parts of Tuplung VDC, Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk districts of Nepal benefitting 1000 families.

Updates from May 8

• Volunteers distributed relief materials, tents and blankets and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Dhading, Lamjung, Lalitpur, Sindhupalchowk, Kavre and Nuwakot districts of Nepal.
• Trauma Relief Workshop conducted for Medical Team of Army Hospital, residents of Army camp, Balajhu and Tokha Orphanage, Kathmandu, Nepal.
• The Siliguri team sent 5th truck with relief materials to Nepal.

Updates from May 7

• Volunteers distributed relief materials, tents and blankets, provided medical relief and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at different parts of Lalitpur, Ramechhap, Nuwakot, Dhading districts of Nepal.
• IAHV Director conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Himal Power Limited for over 50 employees and families. They had not been able to sleep well ever since the earthquake. They all felt relaxed and at ease after the session.
• A team of volunteers conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Kanjirowa College, Kathmandu and another team had been conducting 3 days Nav Chetna Shibir and Trauma Relief Workshop at Pepsi Cola, Kathmandu.

Updates from May 6

• The Prince of Bahrain in Partnership with IAHV and Art of Living distributed tents, food, water and blankets at Maternity Hospital, Patan Hospital and Basantapur in Kathmandu. The IAHV Director conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at all these places.
• Volunteers distributed relief material and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at Nuwakot, Dolakha, Kavre and Dhading districts of Nepal.
• 300 tents, 800 blankets and relief material was distributed at Dolakha district of Nepal.

Updates from May 5

• Volunteers distributed water, food items, sanitation materials, blankets and tents, provided medical relief and conducted Trauma Relief Workshop at different parts of Sindhupalchow, Kavre, Dhading and Kathmandu districts of Nepal.
• The Prince of Bahrain visited our center in Nepal. Praising the IAHV and Art of Living for their high morale and values, he has collaborated with us for Nepal Earthquake Relief.
• After receiving requests to conduct Trauma Relief Workshops from different areas of Bhaktapur, Katunje VDC and Basantpur, volunteers rushed immediately and did the needful.
   

Updates from May 4

• The day started with prayers, chanting and meditation at The Art of Living-Nepal Center in presence of IAHV Director, Neeraj Kohli. Then after, the dispatches and trauma relief program started right away. IAHV Director headed off to Singhadurbar to conduct the trauma relief session to the Ministry of Home Affairs staff. We were expecting the participants to be not more than 10 people. However, more than 120 people participated including the Secretary of the Ministry.
• The AIG from the police headquarter requested IAHV Director to conduct the session to Inspectors and Sub-inspectors. The AIG had participated in such a session with the Director. He then conducted the sessions for about 100 inspectors and sub-inspectors. In the afternoon, he had a session with doctors and nurse team at Kiritipur Hospital. In the evening, he also met with DG O. P. Singh, NDRS to update on Art of Living/ IAHV efforts and possibilities of further actions.
• Meanwhile, a team of volunteers left for Machhapokhri in Kathmandu to distribute water and conduct trauma relief. They covered 3 different groups in the areas and covered 190 people. Likewise, another group went to Basantapur, Kathmandu and conducted trauma relief to 4 different groups in the area.
• An Art of Living Teacher’s interview on Art of Living’s relief effort and trauma relief was aired on Mountain TV.
• Another team of volunteers left for Thankot, Kathmandu to distribute food and conduct trauma relief program. Another team headed off to Pepsi Cola, Kathmandu with food and medicines and also conducted trauma relief there.
• A volunteer went with a group of people who requested food and tent for a VDC in Sindhupalchowk District. They covered all the wards in Tekenpur VDC of the District.
• Another team of volunteers went back to Kavre District with tents and covered Saping VDC ward 1. They also had a doctor in the team who gave medical assistance as well as trauma relief session.
• Another volunteer of volunteer went to Kavre District with a team of doctors from Nepal Medical College organized health camp. The volunteers distributed food and also conducted trauma relief.
• Two truckloads of materials arrived today from Siliguri. We have been receiving small and large quantity of relief materials from internal and external donors almost every day.

Updates from May 3

• Volunteers reached Lamosanghu & Sindhupalchowk districts of Nepal. These are most affected & highest rates of casualties happened in Earthquake. Volunteers distributed tents, foods and medicines to 100 families and conducted trauma relief workshops.

Updates from May 2

• IAHV Director Neeraj Kohli conducted Trauma Relief program for AIG, DIG and 50 higher level of police officers of Nepal at the Police Headquarter.
• Volunteers distributed tents, medicines and food supplies and conducted trauma relief workshops at Sindhupalchowk, Kathmandu & Nuwakot districts of Nepal.
• A truckload arrived from Gorakhpur, India containing 41 big rolls of tent fabric. The volunteers started stitching them right away.

Updates from May 1

• Volunteers distributed relief materials & tents, conducted cleaning camp, awareness program & trauma relief workshops at Dolakha, Kavre, Nuwakot, Ramechap, Kathmandu, Dhanding Districts of Nepal.
• Conducted trauma relief workshops for more than 1000 people.

Updates from April 30

• Trauma relief sessions have begun at multiple locations in Kathmandu, and also at Civil Hospital, New Baneshwor.

Updates from April 29

• The Vadodara chapter from Gujarat contributed 500 blankets for the Nepal relief work.
• A truckload of essential items including ORS, biscuits, water, medicines, blankets and face masks was dispatched from Siliguri, West Bengal.

Updates from April 28

• Food to affected persons is being provided 24 hours. Approximately 6000-7000 people have been given meals so far.
• A blood donation camp has been started at The Art of Living Center in Raxaul, Bihar with the help of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Indo Nepal Chamber of Commerce. Upto 2 pm, around 50 people had donated blood.
• The Director General of the Sashastra Seema Bal Army visited The Art of Living center in Raxaul, Bihar.
• At the Bhaktapur district, the Art of Living volunteers provided food, medical support to affected persons.
• Truckloads of food and water were dispatched from Siliguri, West Bengal on April 27.

Updates from April 26-27

• The Art of Living center has been converted into a shelter camp that is hosting people affected by the earthquake that struck Nepal.
• Volunteers of The Art of Living - Nepal distributed cooked food to residents of Tundikhel in Nepal.
• Around 300 people were taking shelter in the New Baneshwor Center of The Art of Living - Nepal.
• The Art of Living volunteers also distributed food to victims and relatives at Civil Hospital.
   

Background of the disaster:

A magnitude-7.8 quake near the capital of Kathmandu has flattened homes, buildings and temples, causing widespread damage across the region and killing more than 4,000 people.

The Art of Living & IAHV’s disaster relief work:

With its worldwide network of volunteers, The Art of Living & IAHV have been able to immediately reach the calamity-struck place anywhere in the world, providing physical and mental solace and material relief. Through this network, The Art of Living & IAHV have established themselves as one of the vital links in disaster rehabilitation programs the world over.

From extensive relief and rehabilitation work in the tsunami-affected areas to trauma relief camps in war-torn Iraq and in the aftermath of 9/11 attacks in New York to earthquake relief in Gujarat, volunteers of The Art of Living have gone beyond the concern of their own safety to tend to the mental, emotional and material needs of natural or manmade disaster victims.

The Art of Living, along with its sister organisations, International Association for Human Values and Vyakti Vikas Kendra India, has taken upon itself the responsibility of soothing any society rattled by violence and other natural disasters. Guided by Gurudev Sri Sri, it has developed an effective and dynamic three-stage model for responding to emergency disasters.

IMMEDIATE MATERIAL AID AND SERVICE: This entails providing emergency services and material aid in the aftermath of a calamity which includes food, clothes, medicines and shelter. Doctors, counsellors and other physical and mental health experts form an integral part of such immediate relief efforts.

NEAR-TERM TRAUMA RELIEF: For survivors of such disasters, who have experienced severe physical and emotional trauma, material help alone is not sufficient. Alleviating the trauma and helping them reclaim their lives is essential. A study on The Art of Living Trauma Relief Programs given to large groups of Southeast Asia tsunami survivors showed significant relief from post-traumatic stress disorder in four days only.

LONG-TERM REHABILITATION: True relief can only happen when disaster survivors are completely rehabilitated - physically, emotionally and socially - and have a sustainable means of earning their livelihood. To achieve this, volunteers work in villages and with local communities, building homes, sanitation systems, roads, schools, vocational training centres and other necessary infrastructure.

The Trauma Relief Programs of The Art of Living have also been instrumental in alleviating post-traumatic stress disorder. The organisation has provided long-term rehabilitation and trauma care to victims in the aftermath of almost every major disaster in the world.