Rescuers rush to help victims of the devestating earthquake in Nepal - April 25, 2015

Rescuers rush to help victims of the devestating earthquake in Nepal – April 25, 2015 – courtesy Huffington Post Canada

April 25, 2015: Kathmandu, Nepal – A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the densely populated Kathmandu Valley in Nepal earlier today, killing thousands, and injuring thousands more. It is being recorded as the worst earthquake to hit the country in more than 80 years*, and the death toll continues to rise.

The quake cut off power and left entire homes, temples, and other structures in the area completely destroyed. Hospitals are at their capacity and many people have been forced to take to the streets, left with little or no means of communication.  Devastation from this disaster, which has been considered 16 times more powerful than the quake that shook Haiti in 2010*, has also shook the neighbouring countries of India and Bangladesh.

Nepal’s mountainous terrain will make relief efforts more challenging, and the full extent of destruction will only be known once rural areas outside Kathmandu can be reached.

CMAT has mobilized its assessment team which will be departing for Nepal shortly.  Depending on assessment findings, a call for volunteers may be placed for further support.

Help CMAT provide medical assistance for the Nepali people at this devastating time, when they are most at risk. Donate now, so that together, we can save lives.

Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org!

CMAT is also collecting Air Canada Aeroplan miles to help offset the costs of volunteer flights.  You can donate your aeroplan miles here:

AeroplanBeyondMilesLogo

*Source: CBC
 Dr. Pat San Agustin Edmonton, AB

Dr. Pat San Agustin
Director at Large

CMAT welcomes the addition of Dr. Pat San Agustin as interim Director at Large on the Board of Directors.  Pat assumes the seat previously occupied by Iain Kenny, who recently submitted his resignation due to illness.

We would like to warmly thank Iain for his dedication and commitment to CMAT, and look forward to his future participation in the organization.

 

Tsunami devastation - Police vehicle badly damaged sits in Meuloboh street (January, 2005).

Tsunami devastation – Police vehicle badly damaged sits in Meuloboh street (January, 2005).

CMAT team are briefed by Canadian High Commission staff Rachael Bedlington (January, 2005)

CMAT team are briefed by Canadian High Commission staff Rachael Bedlington (January, 2005)

 

 

10 years ago today, many of us woke to news of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that swept the Indian Ocean, taking with it 230,000 lives, and affecting 14 nations. The response to this disaster was unprecedented, and gave rise to a new culture of international humanitarianism. The grassroots of Canadian Medical Assistance Teams (CMAT) were established on the ground in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, and in 2015, our 10th anniversary year, we remember and honour all those affected by disaster who paid the ultimate price; and celebrate with those whose lives we helped to save.

Join us in recognizing our 10th anniversary, as we open our year-long commemoration. Helping the world, in times of disaster!

We would like to thank all our members for your participation in the 2014-15 CMAT Board of Directors election.  We had a record voter turnout for this year’s campaign!

Congratulations to the newly elected and re-elected board members listed below, and thank you to all the nominees for your incredible interest!  Officer positions on the board will be decided and announced within the coming week, and we will be also looking for committee chairs and members in the near future.

Dr. J. Rashad Chin Edmonton, AB National Chair

Dr. J. Rashad Chin
Edmonton, AB
National Chair

Kate Auger Nurse Practitioner Collingwood, ON.

Kate Auger, NP
Collingwood, ON
Vice Chair

Valerie Rzepka, NP
Toronto, ON.
Executive Director

Martin Metz Paramedic Vancouver, BC.

Martin Metz, PCP
Vancouver, BC.
Treasurer

Nathan Kelly,RN Grimsby, ON

Nathan Kelly, RN
Grimsby, ON
Secretary

Lesley Eltom Government Relations Toronto, ON.

Lesley Eltom
Toronto, ON
Director at Large

Iain Kenny

Iain Kenny
Calgary, AB
Director at Large

Bill Coltart, PCP Comox, BC.  Founding Director

Bill Coltart, PCP
Comox, BC.
Founding Director (non-voting)