A CHARITY founded by a Northumbria University graduate says it has helped more than 2,500 households in one of the worst-hit districts of Nepal since a major earthquake in April.

Volunteers with Childreach Nepal, set up by Nepalese-born Dr Tshering Lama, have been working in Sindhupalchowk getting vital medical supplies, food and shelter to victims, in some cases using motorbikes to access remote areas.

Eight medical camps and 24 temporary learning centres hosting more than 4,000 children have also been established.

The charity said the tragic aftermath of the quake presented an opportunity to ensure that lessons had been learnt from previous natural disasters and also called for transparency and accountability in terms of how pledges and donations were spent.

Dr Lama said the country would be rebuilt “better and stronger than before”.

In 2006 while studying in the UK he won the International Student of the Year Award, leading Northumbria University to establish a scholarship scheme in his name for Nepalese students. He returned to Nepal in 2010 to set up Childreach Nepal.

Dr Lama said : “From the day after the earthquake devastated Sindhupalchowk district, where Childreach Nepal have been working for years, we have been at the forefront of relief efforts alongside the Nepal Army and local communities.

“The emergency response we undertook has been very challenging, at times life threatening and often overwhelming for all of us.

“Despite the confusion and chaos we were determined to reach those in need no matter how hard it was to get to them.”