Dubai resident plans independent Nepal relief operation

A Dubai resident is hoping to utilise his background in crisis management to assist victims of the deadly earthquake in Nepal.

ABU DHABI // A Dubai resident is hoping to use his background in crisis management to assist victims of the deadly earthquake in Nepal.

On Tuesday, Toufic Abou Nader — who ordinarily works in marketing and advertising — was making preparations to travel to the stricken nation on a reconnaissance mission, where he said he was going to assess the situation in areas that have not yet been reached by major non-governmental organisations.

Mr Abou Nader, 29, from Lebanon, has previously volunteered with the Red Cross in Lebanon, and contributed to relief efforts in the Philippines after 2013’s Typhoon Haiyan.

“I have experience in these situations, in crisis management, and I have a network to help,” he said.

He said little information is available from the ground on what is required in terms of medical aid, rescue operations, and food.

Latest estimates have put the death toll at more than 4,000 from the quake, which triggered a series of aftershock earlier this week.

“At the moment, it’s very vague,” he said. “Not much information is available.”

Mr Abou Nader said he hopes to leave either Wednesday or Thursday for several days before returning to the UAE.

At that point, he said he will develop a specific plan of action using contacts he has made in his previous humanitarian work, and return with a dedicated team.

“Then the work can start on the ground,” he said, adding he hopes to eventually contribute to rebuilding efforts.