Mexican reporter stranded in Nepal because of bad planning by a Scientology NGO
by Raúl Flores Martínez
May 9, 2015
Bad planning by a Scientology non-governmental organization has left a Mexican journalist stranded for a month in Nepal's disaster area, which was hit by a powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 degrees on the Richter scale.
In a telephone interview, Mexican reporter Jorge Flores, said that the NGO had sponsored his transportation to the devastated area, along with a team of 23 members of Topos México. However, he has to stay at least a month in Kathmandu to justify the trip.
"I was told that I had to stay at least a month to justify the cost of the trip. I've been waiting three days for them to make the change, but I haven't received an answer. They're only giving me the runaround."
His words punctuated by a bad cough, he said that the food there is presently contaminated, so he hasn't eaten anything. He reiterated that the invitation he received had come from Topos México, a group sponsored by Scientology.
"After the earthquake, the Topos invited me and the NGO, Scientology, paid them. My understanding was that I could return whenever I want, but now it turns out that I have to stay at least a month to justify the expense."
To return home, Jorge Flores must come up with 90,000 dollars to pay for three flights: from Nepal to Delhi in India, from India to London, and from London to Mexico City.
"For three days, I've been trying to ask them to send me back, but I don't see when. There was an American in the same situation, but they sent him back the same day without any problem."
He concluded by saying that, because of the bad planning of his itinerary, he remains in the region without a return ticket to Mexico, since he doesn't have sufficient financial resources. He said he has tried to contact the authorities at the Mexican Secretariat of Foreign Affairs to facilitate his transportation to Mexico.
