Printer-friendly version
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left, by CalFlier 001 on WIkipedia: Famed Dharahara Tower, Khatmandu in 2013, was reduced to a stump by the April 25, 2015 quake
Photo, right: Google executivfe Dan Fredinburg, who perished on Mt. Everest, reported on Instagram by his sister, Megan.
April 27, 2015 (San Diego) -- A devastating earthquake has struck Nepal on Saturday, April 25th, killing over 3,700 people in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and the Tibetan region of China. The quake measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, stronger than the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and the strongest to hit the Nepal region in more than 80 years.
An avalanche on Mt. Everest killed at least 18 mountain climbers and sherpas, including Google executive Dan Fredinburg, whose father and stepmother live in Carlsbad in San Diego’s North County.
Cultural resources have also been devastating particularly in Khatmandu Valley, including the landmark Dharahara Tower, which collapsed. Multiple temples have also been damaged or destroyed.
Over 7,000 people were injured n the quake. The United Nations report that over a million children need humanitarian aid. Major aftershocks, some as strong as major quakes themselves, continue to rock the region. Many people are sleeping outdoors, fearful to go inside. Amid the massive damage, the risk of disease such as from contaminated drinking water could claim even more lives.
A massive global relief effort has been launched including aid from the U.S. U.S. AID (http://www.usaid.gov/nepal-earthquake) is deploying a Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) to the region and is providing an initial $1 million in emergency assistance as it assesses humanitarian needs in cooperation with the Government of Nepal. USAID is also activating an Urban Search and Rescue Team to accompany disaster experts.
An official arm of the U.S. government, U.S. Aid also has a list of charitable groups accepting donations. The groups listed have been screened and must be partners of U.S. Aid and have high marks from watchdog groups.
Google and Facebook have launched tools to help find people missing after the quake in Nepal.
Google's Person Finder, uses social media sites to let you search for people who may be lost or found. Anyone can contribute to the records, from friends and families to first responders and relief groups.
Facebook has launched its Safety Check tool, which many are using to check on friends and family in their network. The tool automatically sends a notification to anyone whose GPS data or profile shows they are in the affected area, asking them to update their Safety Check status. Friends in your network can update the feature if a person in the disaster area can’t do so. The tool can be used to check on someone in your network.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg posted: "When disasters happen, people need to know their loved ones are safe. It's moments like this that being able to connect really matters… My thoughts are with everyone who's been caught up in this tragedy."
For up-to-date information, you can visit the Embassy of the United States , the U.S. Embassy Facebook page, the US Agency for International Development or the USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Facebook page to learn about the April 25, 2015, earthquake in Nepal, the US Government response, and how you can help.
To find more information about USAID’s development assistance to Nepal, visit USAID’s Nepal Country Page (www.usaid.gov/nepal)
- For assistance regarding U.S. citizens in Nepal, the Department of State has established a public email address (NepalEmergencyUSC@state.gov) for all inquiries concerning U.S. citizens affected by the earthquake. You may also contact 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. & Canada) or +1-202-501-4444 from overseas.
- U.S. citizens in Nepal who need assistance can contact the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu at +977 423 4100. U.S. citizens in Nepal should notify the U.S. government of your presence in Nepal by entering your information at https://tfa.state.gov/ccd and by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program https://step.state.gov/step to receive updates.
Despite the immense damage, Nepali Times tweeted, “Our mountains and temples have been pulverized, but Nepal will rise again.”
Recent comments