CONCORD, NH – A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal on April 25, 2015 with the epicentre located 50 miles northwest of the capital, Kathmandu. Many families have been unable to restore contact as Internet, mobile and landlines have been affected by the disaster.
According to a report Monday from The Guardian, aftershocks are hindering rescue efforts in the Himalayan nation as the death toll surpasses 3,800, and is expected to mount as search and rescue efforts continue.
Related story: Thousands need shelter in country little able to cope
The Red Cross Society of Nepal in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) activated the Family Links website to restore contact for affected family members. It has been operational in English from April 25, 2015 and the Nepalese version as of April 27, 2015,
This family links website offers people the possibility to:
- Search through the list of missing persons and people who have responded that they are alive
- Register names of persons with whom they have lost contact
- Register names of persons who wish to inform others that they are alive
People can register in a form on the website, which is submitted to the Red Cross Society of Nepal. Names will not automatically appear on the lists in the website. The names which people wish to make public will need to be processed by the Red Cross first, which is continuously updating the lists.
Please be advised that during the first few days after a disaster, it is common to experience disruptions in communication. Continue to try usual methods of communication (phone, social media, email) to restore contact.
Contact information is below for those who wish to contact to American Red Cross NH/VT staff and volunteers. The American Red Cross New Hampshire Region is centered in Concord and has offices in Keene, Nashua, Manchester, and Portsmouth:
Adam Burritt
Director, Service to the Armed Forces & International Services – NH/VT
603-225-6697 x207
email: Adam.Burritt@redcross.org
Volunteer – International Services
email: Bao.Dang@redcross.org
Sarah Comoc
Volunteer – International Services
email: Sarah.Comoc@redcross.org
RELATED STORY: Volunteer Spotlight: Bao Dang, NH Red Cross
How to help victims of the earthquake (via USA Today)
Before contributing to an aid group, research its legitimacy. Sites such as CharityNavigator.org, which evaluates charities’ accountability and finances, can help you avoid scams that prey on people’s generosity in the wake of major disasters.
UNICEF
The U.N. children’s agency, UNICEF, says nearly 1 million children in Nepal need help. UNICEF says it is preparing two cargo flights with a combined 120 tons of humanitarian supplies including medical and hospital supplies, tents and blankets, for urgent airlift to Kathmandu.
WORLD FOOD PROGRAM
The U.N. World Food Program says logistics and emergency response teams have arrived in Kathmandu.
RED CROSS
The International Committee for the Red Cross says it is working with the Nepal Red Cross Society and has a team working on emergency response.
MERCY CORPS
Mercy Corps warns that prices for essential supplies in Nepal are rising quickly. The group says it is working with the Nepal Red Cross Society to help distribute essential household supplies, shelter kits and tarpaulins. Mercy Corps has 90 staffers on the ground in Nepal, some of whom have lost their homes in the quake.
SAVE THE CHILDREN
Save the Children says it has staff in 63 districts and emergency kits, hygiene materials and tarpaulins already in Nepal and ready for distribution. Additional supplies and emergency recovery teams are being flown in.
OXFAM
Oxfam says its team in Nepal is assessing needs and it is sending emergency food, water and sanitation supplies. “Communication is currently very difficult. Telephone lines are down and the electricity has been cut off making charging mobile phones difficult. The water is also cut off,” country director Cecilia Keizer says in a statement.
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres, says it is sending medical staff and supplies to Nepal, including emergency surgical teams.
JDC
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is providing relief and medical supplies and sending a disaster relief team.
SAMARITANS PURSE
The Christian aid organization has deployed a disaster relief team and initial supplies for 15,000 households to support partner hospitals.
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
The Lutheran aid group is on the ground trying to meet basic needs such as the distribution of water filtration units and quilts.
CARE
The humanitarian organization that fights global poverty is on the ground in Nepal.
WORLD VISION
The Christian aid organization is on the ground assessing the disaster in Nepal.
PAYPAL GIVING FUND
The web payment company announced it was waiving fees for donations to the Nepal relief effort. It was delivering donations through its PayPal Giving Fund to several of the aid groups listed above, among others.
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