Earthquake in Nepal

The earthquake in Nepal killed more than 7,000 people.  There were also deaths reported in India and Bhutan. More than 20,000 people are reported injured from the earthquake and aftershocks.

Facebook has a rather amazing function that allows people to check themselves in as safe (or allows others to check them in as safe).  You can see which of your friends is in the area and whether they have checked themselves in as safe.

Google has a Nepal Earthquake Person Finder where you can look for a person or report information about a person.  Click here to see it.

USAID is deploying a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to the region and is providing an initial $1 million in emergency assistance as we assess humanitarian needs in cooperation with the Government of Nepal. USAID is also activating an Urban Search and Rescue Team to accompany disaster experts.  Many other national governments are also organizing emergency relief efforts.

The U.S. Embassy in Nepal also advises that if you concerned about a U.S. citizen in Nepal, your can call the U.S. State Department at +1 888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444 (overseas). You can follow @USEmbassyNepal, @theOFDA, and @StateDept on Twitter and 'like' the U.S. Embassy in Nepal on Facebook for updates.  Click here for the website for the U.S. Embassy in Nepal.

Make donations to reputable organizations. There are immediate needs and also longer-term needs to overcome this disastor. Here is a link to the list of organizations identified by the New York Times.

Here are some of the organizations working in Nepal.  You can find many others.  Please help if you can.

• The United Nations World Food Program is providing food and other aid to survivors. 
• The British Red Cross has a Nepal Earthquake Appeal.
• Save the Children has worked in Nepal for many years and has a Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund.
• United States Fund for UNICEF

(mew)