The death toll from Saturday's 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal has risen to 2,300, according to BBC News. It's the area's worst
earthquake in years, and the avalanche it triggered on Mount Everest, killing
18, was the mountain's worst disaster. Now, even as powerful aftershocks rock
the surrounding areas — with one on Sunday morning measuring at 6.7 — relief
agencies are making their way to Kathmandu and the surrounding villages and
cities. This is where you come in: Because all of those agencies could use monetary donations (not, as some assume, donations of clothing or food). Here are a few ways to help:
— The Global Fund for Women has grantee programs on the ground in the area that specifically support women
and children. Those are the people most vulnerable during such disasters, as
shelter and food become scarce.
— The Nepal Red Cross headquarters is still up and running, according to
the International Red Cross, and has already set up temporary shelters and is
providing drinking water and food to victims. It sounds like the organization
will be in need of help with its efforts: "Currently NRCS has around
17,000 sets of [non-food relief items] in its warehouses in Kathmandu Valley
and limited stock of WASH kits and food items in Kathmandu Valley which may not
be sufficient to fulfill the need of temporarily displaced population (around
1.6 million people) for Kathmandu Valley."
— Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung is raising funds
through his organization, Shikshya Foundation Nepal, on Crowdrise. Already, his
famous friends are spreading the word about it via social media. "The
immediate need on the ground is for medical support, search and rescue,
emergency shelters and food and water among many other things," Gurung
states on the fundraising site. "As the days, weeks and months go by and
after the humanitarian needs are addressed, Nepal will need to begin the
healing and rebuilding process."
— The Charity Navigator Blog has listed several highly rated organizations
that are raising money for the disaster, including AmeriCares and Save the
Children. The site also
provides advice on how to make sure you're sending money to the right place.