Canadians in Nepal

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2 Hamilton men caught in Sunday’s earthquake in Nepal say their situation is improving, but say the people of Nepal need far more help than they do. Ross and Bryan Prince were on a 2 month tour when the quake struck but in the aftermath, they say they’ve had little help from the Canadian government and more from other non-governmental agencies that were already on the ground.

It was a rough 48 hours for Bryan and Ross Prince, after the earthquake hit Nepal on Sunday but they say their misfortune is slight. “When spoke with my dad this morning, his concerns were for the people of Nepal who are in very dire circumstances, and who you know, it’s a saddening and really horrific situation over there.” Says Byran’s daughter, Eileen Vitulli.

The 2 Hamilton men had been touring Nepal and were in a park in central Khatmandu when the earth beneath their feet rolled like a wave, and buildings began to fall. The Canadian Consulate in Nepal is a courtesy residence, staffed by a single volunteer so they eventually wound up taking refuge with the American Mission Association. They don’t blame consulate volunteer for not being able to take them in, but they are critical of Ottawa.

“I think the problem, the frustration for our family was more with respect to the lack of information and assistance being provided by the Canadian Government.” Says Eileen.

While the Canadian Government has been criticized for a slow response to the crisis, not so for the Red Cross. They already had a presence on the ground and were ready to go, as soon as the earthquake struck. And that’s welcomed news to the thousands of displaced and injured who have lost nearly everything in one of the world’s poorest nations.