Nepal Earthquake - What you need to know to help
What happened?
The Earthquake Was Powerful and Deadly
Authorities have put the death toll at more than 3,600 and it is expected to rise even further. The earthquake caused widespread damage around the capital Kathmandu.
The quake, which also triggered an avalanche at Mount Everest, could be felt in the Indian capital, New Delhi, as well as in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Qatar Red Crescent is sending in an emergency relief team. They will set up a field hospital and water/sanitation unit. A strategy for non monetary donations is being drafted as they sort out logistical and shipping obstacles.
How can you help?
1. Please donate here and help out the earthquake victims. Qatar Red Crescent has issued an emergency appeal to raise QAR12 million for the relief of Nepal earthquake victims and allocated QAR1 million for emergency relief operations concerning health, sheltering, water, sanitation and restoring family links.
2. Donate by sending SMS "L" to Ooredoo numbers:
- 92176 to donate 50 QR
- 92766 to donate 100 QR
- 92770 to donate 500 QR
3. Almost half a million Nepalese live in Qatar. Please check with any of your colleagues or office mates from Nepal on how you can help them. Even a kind word and a hug can go a long way.
4. Some companies are helping our by offering their services for free. Share this info with those who may not be aware:
Skype: all Skype calls to landlines and mobiles in and out of Nepal free of charge. Try to provide internet, wifi and/or a device for anyone who needs it to use this service.
Viber: the popular VOiP service announced it would switch off its Viber Out billing — a service that lets users make international calls at local rates — so free calls would be available to those inside and outside Nepal. This may be a better option than the Whatsapp calls, but the user in Nepal will need data or wifi for it to work.
Google Voice: Costs only 1 cent per minute calls to Nepal — down from normal rates of 19 cents per minute. Google Voice is only available in the US, but people outside the country can make calls at the 1 cent rate using the Hangouts Dialer on an Android phone, using Google Hangouts or from Google Talk.
Should I pack up clothes and food to ship to Nepal?
Secondhand goods are difficult to distribute in a disaster area and are hardly ever what is actually needed.
It is easier, and often in the long run cheaper, for organisations to procure goods themselves and distribute based on need. Read more tips on The Guardian.
Grand Hyatt Doha has launched a disaster response calling all Qatar residents for donations.
Got any ideas to help Nepal expats here? Let us know in the comments below.
Heartbreaking stories about #NepalEarthquake in Qatar - with 1/2 a million Nepalese here, sure to be lots more... pic.twitter.com/jqaKyW3qwZ
— Halal Bilal (@halalcomedy) April 27, 2015Our volunteers on their way to #Nepal received extensive professional training on Water&Sanitation #NepalEarthquake https://t.co/T4Ieq6eUmf
— Qatar Red Crescent (@QRCS) April 27, 2015Please support local charities like @QRCS to aid those affected by the #NepalEarthquake Donate http://t.co/cuqrmh0ZvI pic.twitter.com/DAMdG9yuwO
— MuseumofIslamicArt (@MIAQatar) April 27, 2015
Thanks Qatar Red Crescent. Good Initiative by Ooredoo.
Small individual/organizational help on this critical situation is big help for the victims. We have the news saying that death already reach more than 5,000 already and its expected 10,000. Still rescue effort and access is not being enough along with the needs of basic requirement of Food, Water & Shelter.
My heartfelt condolences to them and pray for survivors to gain their normal life back.
Many Thanks to Rescue Team from Government, private sector, international countries and communities.
Its unrecoverable loss; still pray for all.....
heartiest thanks to Qatar Red Crescent and Qatar Govt.