How to help victims of Nepal quake
A magnitude-7.8 earthquake devastated Nepal and the Katmandu Valley region, leveling buildings and killing more than 2,500 with the death toll continuing to rise.
Such a powerful quake would result in destruction anywhere, but in a nation as poverty-stricken as Nepal, its citizens are particularly vulnerable.
Aid groups worldwide have mobilized to help. Here's a look at humanitarian efforts underway and links on how to donate online:
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 Katmandu.
WORLD FOOD PROGRAM
The U.N. World Food Program says logistics and emergency response teams have arrived in Katmandu.
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
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.
DOCTORS OF THE WORLD USA
The global medical humanitarian aid organization, also known as Medecins du Monde, has had longstanding teams in Nepal, and an emergency surgical team and medical supplies were en route.
FACEBOOK / INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS
People on Facebook can donate directly to International Medical Corps, which has emergency response teams in regions hardest hit by the earthquake. And Facebook said it will match every dollar donated up to $2 million.
GLOBAL IMPACT
Global Impact launched the Nepal earthquake relief fund to fund vetted charities already on the ground responding to the disaster.
AVOID SCAMS
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.
Below are additional groups aiding Nepal that are well-ranked by Charity Navigator.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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