Before I sit down at the computer to blog, I usually have a post running through my brain. I write it and edit it in my head as I get my kids ready for school, take a shower, sleep, cook, run errands, work – whatever it is I’m doing when I’m not blogging.
I’ve had a post in my head about my week without my boys. How much I needed the break. How much I missed my boys. My thoughts on single parenting.
As I wrote the post in my brain, my Facebook feed filled up with news of the devastating earthquake in Nepal. More than 3,000 people have died as a result of the natural disaster that register at a whopping 7.8 on the Richter scale on April 25th.
Suddenly, my emotions around co-parenting don’t seem so important or relevant.
My inbox continues to fill with messages from organizations I support and partner with, many of whom have programs in Nepal.
Instead of writing about me, I decided to compile the information I’ve been receiving about how to help Nepal and share it with you. Not surprisingly, one of the most crucial pieces of this puzzle is around clean water and sanitation.
From WaterAid’s website: “Prior to the earthquake, nearly 13 million people in Nepal, or nearly half of the population, did not have access to adequate toilets and sanitation. At the same time, 3.6 million people did not have access to safe drinking water. Those numbers are expected to rise substantially following this week’s disaster.”
The earthquake itself was disastrous. How we respond is critical.
Following are some informative articles about the Nepal earthquake along with some ways you can help.
- Global Citizen has a great article with facts and information about the Nepal earthquake, the organizations that are currently on the ground helping and what you can do about it. Click here to read: Earthquake devastates Nepal: Here’s what you need to know.
- If you are on Facebook, you probably noticed a box at the top of your newsfeed that allows you to donate money to help the survivors of the earthquake. According to Facebook, “100% of your donation will go to International Medical Corps and their work in response to the Nepal earthquake. Facebook will also donate $2 million to local relief efforts.” Click here to donate to International Medical Corps via Facebook
- WaterAid has been active in Nepal since 1987, with a physical presence in 28 districts across the country. According to WaterAid America CEO Sarina Prabasi, herself a Nepali national, “For many of the communities hit by this week’s earthquake, access to safe water and sanitation was a struggle even under normal circumstances. Making sure that people can access safe drinking water and effectively manage human waste in the coming days and weeks will be especially critical to preventing diarrhea, cholera and typhoid outbreaks that pose a serious risk to public health.” WaterAids’ first priority is to offer immediate assistance in the communities where WaterAid works. These efforts are likely to include the provision of safe water, water purification tablets, emergency sanitation measures and hygiene kits. Click here to support WaterAid’s efforts to provide critical clean and safe water and sanitation
- ONE, an organization that fights extreme poverty, reports that over 2.7 million people already lived in extreme poverty in Nepal prior to the earthquake. It is estimated the total economic losses from the damage of the earthquake could be between $1 billion and $10 billion, setting Nepal back by a decade or more. Click here to read ONE’s article: Here’s how you can help Nepal (The article includes a list of organizations who are working on the ground in Nepal that you can support.)
- Save the Children has been working in Nepal since 1976. According to an email, nearly 2 million children have been affected by the earthquake. Countless children are living in temporary makeshift tents, fearful of aftershocks. Teams from Save the Children have already distributed tarps that families will use to shelter themselves from the weather. Families with babies have received toddler clothing, socks, hats, and blankets to keep these precious children warm. Save the Children works to ensure that children will feel safe and secure again. Click here to support Save the Children’s relief efforts in Nepal
- I leave you with a post written by my good friend and fellow world-changer, Nicole Melancon. Nicole’s trip to Nepal a few years back inspired her to start her blog, Third Eye Mom. Her post reflects on her time in Nepal and shares the beauty of the country. Click here to read: My heart breaks for Nepal
Natural disaster can happen anywhere at any time. Even if you can’t afford to donate to the relief efforts, a share of this information is helpful.
**If you know of other helpful articles or organizations to support the relief efforts, please feel free to leave the information in the comment section.
