food

How to Help Victims of Nepal Earthquakes

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on Tuesday, killing dozens of people, less than three weeks after a 7.8-magnitude quake rocked the Himalayan country, killing 8,000 people. 

Nepal's National Emergency Operation Centre confirmed that Tuesday's quake killed 37 people and injured 1,117 others.

The U.S. Geological Survey said that the estimated damage from the April 25 quake and strong aftershocks that devastated Nepal could cost between $100 million and $10 billion.

The quake flattened mountain villages and destroyed buildings, injuring at least 17,860 people. World leaders and global charities offered emergency aid and the United States was sending a disaster response teams and $10 million to help the people of Nepal, The Associated Press reported.

Here are ways you can donate:

WORLD VISION

The humanitarian aid group had staff on the ground when the earthquake hit. Members of the organization said survivors need food, water and shelter, spokeswoman Laura Blank told NBC News.

“Infrastructure is down all over the city,” World Vision’s operations director in Kathmandu Philip Ewert also said. “Power is out with limited internet access. Walls and water tanks are damaged. We are also getting reports that people are trapped in temples and other public buildings as there was a large festival here Saturday.”

To make a donation to the organization to address these needs, you can visit their Nepal page or text NEPAL to 777444 to donate $10.

[[301323401, C]]

RED CROSS

Volunteers and staff at the Nepal Red Cross Society are providing aid, but they have limited stocks of emergency relief items available in the country, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a statement.

"We are extremely concerned about the fate of communities in towns and villages in rural areas closer to the epicenter," said Jagan Chapagain, the IFRC's Director for Asia Pacific. “We anticipate that there will be considerable destruction and loss of life.”

For information on how to donate, visit the IFRC website.

Memorabilia from Prince’s life and career will be up for auction on Friday. While there is no little red corvette, fans can bid on a replica of the 1981 Honda motorcycle, adorned with purple and pink love symbols, that Prince rode in the film version of “Purple Rain.”

SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGES

In addition to the physical damage, Nepal's earthquake has left children scared and traumatized. This NGO plans to create 14 child-friendly spaces to provide "psychological and medical support" for children so adults can focus on rebuilding efforts. 

SOS Children's Villages has worked in the country for more than 40 years to give "loving, stable homes to orphaned and abandoned children," they said in a statement. "Our presence and permanence in the country allows us to quickly respond and support the local community in times of crisis."

You can donate to the organization's Nepal Emergency Children's Care Fund here.

GLOBALGIVING

The organization hopes to raise 1 million dollars and has created a Nepal-specific page outlining specific issues they hope to address with the funds.

“Initially, the fund will help first responders meet survivors' immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products, and shelter,” the organization said on its page. “Once initial relief work is complete, this fund will transition to support longer-term recovery efforts run by local, vetted local organizations.”

GlobalGiving says it will provide updates about how the funds are being used. You can donate here.

AMERICARES

An emergency team from the AmeriCares India office is preparing shipments of medical aid and relief supplies for survivors. The organization stocks emergency medicine and relieft supplies in its warehouses in the U.S., Europe and India that can be delivered quickly in time of crisis, and launches comprehensive recovery programs.

"Our emergency response team is en route to Nepal and we are prepared to help any way that we can," AmeriCares President and CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis said in a statement. "This is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the families suffereing."

To donate to AmeriCares International Disaster Relief Fund, you can click here.

UNICEF

UNICEF is on the ground in Nepal providing critical emergency aid to children and families.

"UNICEF expects children, an estimated 40 percent of Nepal's poplulation, to be among the worst affected by the earthquake. The first priorities are lifesaving interventions—getting essential medicines, nutrition, and safe water to children and families in immediate need," the organization's website said.

To support the UNICEF relief efforts in Nepal, you can donate here.

MERCY CORPS

Mercy Corps' team is on the ground in Nepal working to get a better understanding of the conditions. The team is focused on delivering lifesaving aid to hard-hit communities. Mercy Corps will be helping communities immediately start to rebuild homes, schools, help people return to work and process the trauma.

To support Mercy Corps' earthquake response team, you can donate here.

The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has emergency personnel in Kathmandu that say weather conditions following the deadly quake have made life for survivors even harder.

“The situation is getting critical with the rain and cold winds,” Kushal Neogy, a member of the CRS India staff, said in a statement. “It slows down the rescue and relief operation and makes life difficult for those living on the street or in open fields.”

The CRS plans to give out tarpaulins and other shelter materials with donations they are now collecting. To help out, click here.

Contact Us