A devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Katmandu, Nepal on Saturday (April 25), killing over 3,800 people. Thousands of homes and other buildings collapsed leaving many people missing in the debris. The death toll continues to rise as rescue teams search through the rubble.
Thousands of survivors are now homeless and without basic necessities including food, clean water and hygiene products. Multiple Christian aid organizations have responded to the needs of those affected by the natural disaster. Here is a breakdown of what several Christian organizations are doing to help people in Nepal.
Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse has deployed a team of disaster response experts to provide medical assistance and additional aid to those affected by the earthquake. Samaritan’s Purse has also sent enough shelter materials, hygiene kits and cooking kits to provide for 15,000 households and plans to send more supplies through ongoing donations.
2. World Vision
World Vision has responded to the disaster with a team to assess the earthquake’s damage in rural areas. According to the team, immediate needs for those affected by the earthquake include drinking water, food, temporary shelter, first aid kits and blankets. The organization has responded with items to help 100,000 people and plans to construct Child-Friendly Spaces to create safe places for children to gather.
Christian Aid has already sent over $75,000 to Nepal for response work to begin. Their sister agency, Lutheran World Foundation, has a team on the ground and is coordinating with Nepal’s government to distribute emergency supplies including shelter, food, water and clothing.
4. Operation Blessing International
Operation Blessing’s vice president of international relations has been deployed to Nepal to meet with local authorities to determine the areas of greatest need. Donations are needed to distribute water, food, medical supplies and additional materials to those most affected by the disaster.
Faith-based aid organization Convoy of Hope has partnered with 100 churches to respond to the earthquake in Nepal. A disaster response team is on the ground distributing aid supplies including medical supplies, food, water, and shelter to affected individuals.
Lutheran World Relief has deployed staff to Nepal who are currently working with the local community to respond to the disaster. The group plans to establish water filtration units to provide safe water and distribute quilts and hygiene kits.
Food for the Hungry seeks to provide earthquake victims with food, water, shelter and other emergency supplies as they respond to the disaster. The organization also requests prayer for the victims and for their disaster workers on the ground.
Photo courtesy: Thinkstock
Publication date: April 27, 2015
