Many donors have been asking how to make an effective donation to help earthquake response efforts in Nepal. Here is what we are hearing from other Community Foundations, which are turning to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. As they do whenever a major disaster strikes, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy puts all its energy and resources at the service of donors who want to know how their giving can make a long-term impact.
Among the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s current activities:
- A robust information page about what has been learned about the earthquake and how international nongovernment agencies and donors are responding.
- Because we have learned from past disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, the Typhoon Haiyan and the South Asian Tsunami, that it will take many years for Nepal to fully recover, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy has activated a Nepal Earthquake Recovery Fund. Money raised will support medium- and long-term rebuilding and recovery.
- Visit the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’ Facebook page and Twitter feed for current with links to news reports and other updates.
There are also quite a number of other entities that are responding to meet immediate needs. Special thanks to the Community Foundation of South Jersey for compiling this list of organizations that are mobilizing to the Nepal earthquake disaster and have 3 to 4 star Charity Navigator Ratings. Please consider what type of impact means the most to you.
American Red Cross – Disaster response
American Himalayan Foundation – Recovery and rebuilding.
AmeriCares – Medical aid, relief supplies.
CARE – Shelter, food, water, hygiene.
Catholic Relief Services – Shelter, water, sanitation, hygiene.
Direct Relief – Extensive medical supply inventory, personnel, health commodities.
GlobalGiving – Emergency shelter, long-term relief.
International Medical Corps – Medical teams to assist hospitals.
Mercy Corps – Food, shelter, water.
Save the Children – Relief supplies.
Facts & Stats (from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy):
- Nepal straddles the Himalayas between northern India and China and is home to Mt. Everest, the world’s tallest mountain. It rises steeply from the Ganges River Basin in India and contains high fertile valleys and eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks.
- About 27.8 million live in Nepal.
- Nepal is one of the world’s poorest countries, more than 80 percent of the population depends on agriculture.
- An estimated 25 percent of the people live in poverty.