How To Help Victims Of The Nepal Earthquake, No Matter Where You Are
Rounding up a list of organisations that are helping earthquake victims in Nepal and other affected areas, which you can support.
By Sadho Ram — 30 Apr 2015, 05:10 AM
On Saturday, 25 April 2015, a huge earthquake shattered Nepal, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. Devastating photos being shared on social media showed people covered in debris were being dragged from under crumpled buildings, and ancient temples morphed into piles of rubble. As of 30 April, the death toll has crossed 5,000, with additional deaths in neighbouring India.
A survivor is found buried alive in the debris in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
Image via NARENDRA SHRESTHA/EPA
People search for survivors stuck under the rubble of a destroyed building.
Image via NARENDRA SHRESTHA/EPA
Following the devastation caused by the earthquake, aid agencies the world over are stepping up to provide relief to those in need. However, they face an immense challenge, as nearly the entire country was affected by the 7.8-magnitude quake. We are listing down a few ways you can help victims of the Nepal earthquake!
With restaurants and stores closed, residents of Katmandu flock to outdoor food stands the night after a deadly earthquake in Nepal.
Image via Thomas Nybo/The New York Times1. Oxfam
Oxfam is an international coalition of charities dedicated to fighting poverty. Aid workers from the group are on the ground, preparing to hand out food and water. You can reach Oxfam on Twitter. Donate to Oxfam's relief efforts in Nepal, here.
2. Save the Children
Save the Children, an organization dedicated to helping children in 120 nations, also has a network in Nepal. Donations to Save the Children will go toward efforts to provide protection for children and relief to their families. You can reach Save The Children Nepal on Twitter. Donate to its relief efforts in the country, here.
3. UNICEF
UNICEF, which works to ensure that every child has a safe and healthy childhood, is on the ground in Nepal aiding children and families, has prepositioned supplies, including water purification tablets, hygiene kits, tarpaulins and nutrition supplies, and is working with the Nepalese government to protect children’s health and nutrition. You can reach UNICEF on Twitter. Donate to UNICEF's efforts, here.
4. World Vision
World Vision, a Christian organisation that helps bring children out of poverty, and tries to build communities with its relief work, already has a presence in Nepal. They are initiating a response to meet basic, urgent needs with temporary shelter, food, water, emergency health interventions, and other vital aid. You can reach World Vision on Twitter. Donate to support World Vision's relief efforts in Nepal, here.
5. Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders already sent four teams for Nepal from Bihar state in India, where the charity has worked since 2007 and which is close to the Nepal border. The organisation is also sending in 3,000 kits including medical supplies. You can reach Doctors Without Borders on Twitter. Donate to Doctors Without Borders, here.
6. CARE
CARE (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere) is a large humanitarian organisation, again with a presence in Nepal. CARE is asking for donations for critical relief. The group said its humanitarian workers were currently on the ground assessing the situation in Nepal and determining the most immediate needs. You can reach CARE on Twitter. Donate to CARE's relief efforts in Nepal, here.
7. Charity: Water
An NYC-based charity working in 24 developing countries around the world, bringing clean water to people in need. Charity: Water has been working in Nepal for five years, implementing hundreds of clean water projects. You can reach charity: water on Twitter. Donate to its effort for Nepal relief, here.
8. Disaster Psychiatry Outreach
A New York-based nonprofit that provides mental health services in the aftermath of disorders, Disaster Psychiatry Outreach is collecting funds to provide care in Nepal. You can reach Disaster Psychiatry on Twitter. Donate to its effort, here.
9. Habitat for Humanity
A nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that works to provide decent housing. The organisation, which has worked in Nepal for 18 years, will be assisting victims of the earthquake. You can reach Habitat for Humanity on Twitter. Donate to its effort, here.
10. The Foundation Beyond Belief
A charitable foundation committed to humanist generosity and compassion, the Foundation Beyond Belief is collecting funds to help with Nepal's recovery efforts. You can reach Found Beyond Belief on Twitter. Donate to its effort, here.
11. The Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia
The Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM) has come forward to help victims of the Nepal earthquake. They've launched a campaign to collect funds for them with immediate effect. You can reach YBAM on Facebook. Donate to its efforts, here.
12. The Crisis Relief Squad of MCA
The Crisis Relief squad of MCA (CRSM) has set up a "Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund" to help the victims of the natural disaster in that country. CRSM will hand over all donations received to the Nepalese embassy in Malaysia. You can reach CRSM on Facebook. Donate to CRSM, here.
13. Khalsa Aid
Khalsa Aid has a number of humanitarian projects around the world including, Nepal, Iraq, Syria, Malawi, Haiti and Punjab. Currently its providing one tonne of essential aid to victims of the Nepal Earthquake on the ground. You can reach Khalsa Aid on Twitter. Donate to its relief fund, here.
14. Mercy Malaysia
Victims of the 2015 Nepal earthquake are still in dire need of aid, and Mercy Malaysia is seeking donations for relief efforts there. Although it has been over a month since the 7.8-magnitute earthquake hit Nepal, those affected by the calamity are still in need of medical attention and other forms of assistance.
Donate to its relief fund, here
Nepal, despite its rich cultural heritage and spectacular mountain scenery, is a relatively poor country without extensive resources. It has been plagued by instability in recent years, and general strikes have recently brought chaotic scenes to Kathmandu. In addition to above listed groups, do your bit to reach out to people who are doing their bit to help the victims of the Nepal earthquake.