Habitat for Humanity International released a statement, saying that it has canceled its trip with former President Jimmy Carter to Nepal due to shortage of fuel and essential supplies in the country.
The trip was scheduled for Nov. 1-6, in the Chitwan District of Nepal.
The trip was scheduled for Nov. 1-6, in the Chitwan District of Nepal.
Carter and his wife have traveled the world for an annual work project with Habitat for Humanity for 31 years, and this is the first time the annual build has been canceled.
The organization says Nepal had been experiencing civil unrest due to the country’s recent announcement of its new constitution.
The organization says Nepal had been experiencing civil unrest due to the country’s recent announcement of its new constitution.
Many goods and materials coming into the country, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and cooking fuel, as well as food and medical supplies, have been halted or slowed to a critical point, hindering the organization’s capacity to effectively and safely execute the planned project.
Doctors gave Carter the OK to go despite his cancer diagnosis, but now he, his wife and 1,500 volunteers won’t be going.
“While I am disappointed that we are unable to build in Nepal due to such uncertain circumstances, Rosalynn and I understand and support Habitat’s decision. We will keep the people of Nepal in our prayers and ask everyone to do the same,” said Carter. “We look forward to our ongoing work with Habitat and continuing to help shine the light on the need for affordable housing.”
“While I am disappointed that we are unable to build in Nepal due to such uncertain circumstances, Rosalynn and I understand and support Habitat’s decision. We will keep the people of Nepal in our prayers and ask everyone to do the same,” said Carter. “We look forward to our ongoing work with Habitat and continuing to help shine the light on the need for affordable housing.”
Habitat for Humanity representative Rowena Sara said the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu issued a travel warning Thursday and some emergency services might not be available.
Sara and a representative from the Carter Center said the decision has nothing to do with Carter’s health.
“It no longer felt like the right thing to do to bring such a massive amount of people to take up more local resources that are already in short supply for the people of Nepal,” Sara said.
Habitat for Humanity is already planning the Carter work project for next year. They said they will release the details about the location in the next few weeks.
WSBTV
