University Secretary and Vice President for Student Life Kimberly Goff-Crews sent the following message to members of the Yale community about fundraising for the victims of the April 25 earthquake in Nepal.
As we begin to comprehend the full devastation of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal and surrounding regions on April 25, what is becoming clear is that the people of Nepal are in dire need of assistance. Thousands of lives have been lost, thousands have been injured, entire villages have been razed, and cultural landmarks lie in ruin. The death toll continues to climb amid threats of damaging aftershocks. Our deepest sympathies go out to the millions who have been impacted by such terrible losses.
Yale students, alumni, and the families of Nepali Yale students are presumed safe. From the beginning, Yale has been engaged in providing support. Members of the Nepali Association of Yale Affiliates (NAYA) have been helping to translate the Facebook Safety Check and Donation features into Nepali in addition to translating key articles from the Nepali press into English. A wider group is now crowd-translating UN situation reports into Nepali to assist the many international humanitarian organizations that are deployed on the ground. NAYA is also currently collaborating with the Yale Himalaya Initiative, and the Yale Urbanization and Globalization Lab to identify and prioritize — through remote sensing — the most vulnerable areas where relief efforts are needed. The Yale Himalaya Initiative is also exploring opportunities to create long-term commitment to the region through a series of local partnerships.
The relief initiatives referenced below are all non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations that represent projects focusing on disaster risk reduction in Nepal. Some are concentrating efforts in the city of Kathmandu and the surrounding Kathmandu Valley, where communities are in desperate need of shelter and basic supplies. Others are focused on providing relief to communities in rural areas located at the epicenter of the initial earthquake and at sites most affected strongly by the devastating aftershocks.
You may donate by following the instructions below. Funds raised will be evenly distributed among the organizations listed below.
- Go to http://communications.yale.edu/nepal-relief
- Credit card donation: https://eds.yale.edu/treasury/payment/payment_form
- Give to the Yale relief fund you may send checks to Yale Treasury, 2 Whitney Avenue, first floor, made out to Yale Relief Fund with Nepali relief in the memo line.
Educate the Children International (ETC) has set up an earthquake fund to provide relief to communities affected by the earthquake in Dolakha, a remote district in Nepal, especially hard-hit by aftershocks. This is an area that ETC has worked in for over a decade.
Dzi Foundation is mobilizing to rebuild homes, schools, and local infrastructure in remote areas of Eastern Nepal struck by the earthquake. They have been working with communities in the region since 1998.
Habitat for Humanity has worked in Nepal for 18 years. Disaster response teams are coordinating operations with local government agencies and disaster relief partners, and will be assembling emergency shelter kits. Shelters are in immediate demand.
International Medical Corps’ emergency response teams are operating Mobile Medical Units to deliver critically needed medical care and medicines to the regions hardest-hit by the earthquake. The response team has been on the ground since the quake struck, and has been distributing hygiene kits, water purification tablets, and other supplies to keep families healthy. Moving forward, your gift will help teams support survivors, restore healthcare, and help Nepal rebuild.
Oxfam has invested significant time, effort, and resources over the years working with partner groups in Nepal on “disaster risk reduction” programs. In the aftermath of the disaster, Oxfam aid workers are on the ground, providing clean water, toilets, and shelter to thousands of people.
Events will be organized on campus to increase awareness and raise funds in support of the relief efforts. If you are organizing an event and would like to support the Nepali fundraising efforts please contact maria.bouffard@yale.edu.
The effects of this crisis will be felt for a very long time. Our focus now is on immediate relief, but we know that the Yale Himalaya Initiative and other groups on campus are considering what they are going to do long-term response efforts. If you are interested in participating in these conversations please email: himalaya@yale.edu.
As more information becomes available, we will also post it at http://communications.yale.edu/nepal-relief.