Buildings damaged by the massive earthquake that hit Nepal on Saturday, April 25, 2015.
“Through the heartbreak of so much destruction and death, Brethren Disaster Ministries is organizing a multilevel response” to the Nepal earthquake, reported Roy Winter, associate executive director of Global Mission and Service and Brethren Disaster Ministries.
“We will work closely with Church World Service in providing immediate relief to the Nepalese people most impacted and most vulnerable to long-term poverty. Simultaneously Brethren Disaster Ministries will work with Heifer International to provide longer term recovery to some of the most at-risk groups.
“It is also important to build capacity in Nepalese organizations providing relief and recovery,” Winter said. “By working with these different groups Brethren Disaster Ministries seeks to provide a more comprehensive and effective response to this crisis.”
Nepal was hit by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Saturday, April 25. Although the number of casualties is still rising as search and rescue continues, more than 4,700 people have died and more than 9,000 have been injured according to Nepal’s National Emergency Coordination Center. The earthquake was centered less than 50 miles from the capital Kathmandu.
Donations are being received to support the Brethren Disaster Ministries response with ecumenical partners Church World Service (CWS), Heifer International, and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
“The devastating earthquake that shook Nepal has left many people homeless and desperate,” said Jane Yount, coordinator for Brethren Disaster Ministries, in an e-mail message. “Thank you for your gifts and your prayers on behalf of all earthquake victims.”
A Nepal giving page has been created at Brethren.org to facilitate giving to the Brethren Disaster Ministries response. Gifts will help provide lifesaving emergency supplies and other critical assistance to earthquake survivors. Donations may be made online at www.brethren.org/nepalrelief or by mailing checks payable to “Emergency Disaster Fund” and earmarked “Nepal earthquake” to: Emergency Disaster Fund, Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin IL 60120.