AN URGENT appeal has been launched by people in Debden and Wimbish after a devastating landslide hit the village they are twinned with in Tang Ting, Nepal.

The environmental disaster in the mountain region of Taprang has killed five people, including two schoolchildren, and injured many others.

President of the Tang Ting Twinning Association (TTTA), Cllr Tina Knight, said “We received the news from the local Red Cross Society and they are appealing to us for help.

“The immediate problem is food and shelter and the TTTA is co-operating with other agencies in providing emergency relief to the villagers.”

Almost the entire village was swept down the steep hillside wiping out 72 homes, the school and village hall. The disaster, which occurred around 9am on August 3, has destroyed essential paddy fields, the water supply and access routes to other villages.

It has blocked the river Madi creating a lake which could swell causing widespread flooding and a risk to a further 200 homes.

It is the height of monsoon season and the catastrophe can be linked to the effects of deforestation impacting on the environment.

The Nepalese village of Tang Ting was twinned with Debden and Wimbish in May 2007 in a ceremony at Carver Barracks attended by the Nepalese Ambassador, who joined villagers in signing a twinning charter. Gurkhas from Tang Ting are part of the 33 Royal Engineer Regiment based at Carver Barracks.

The Tang Ting Twinning Association aims to promote friendship and co-operation between the communities of Debden, Debden Green and Wimbish and Tang Ting.

Since its inception the charity has raised funds to build a day care centre for 50 children while their parents are out in the paddy fields. A welfare fund has also been set up for the sick, disabled and poor providing essential medical supplies for the village.

Readers wishing to donate should send cheques to: Tang Twinning Twinning Association, PO Box 44, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3ND.