News of the 7.8 earthquake in Nepal no doubt had many Bay Area residents recalling the 6.9 Loma Prieta quake in 1989. Those familiar with the Richter scale are quick to note that the earthquake that hit Nepal over the weekend was almost 10 times the strength of the Loma Prieta quake and 7 times stronger than the famous 1906 quake at left San Francisco in shambles.
Disaster Relief
Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes…time and time again the philanthropic sector has come to the aid of communities recovering from disaster. Over the years grantmakers have developed best practices on approaching disaster relief both here and abroad.
General Resources
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy
- Guidestar
- Council on Foundations
- Foundation Center Report - Measuring the State of Disaster Philanthropy 2014
Recommendations
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy recommends these focus areas for funders over the coming weeks:
- Adequate supplies of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene resources
- Mental and physical health services
- Rebuilding the educational infrastructure so children can return to school
- Access to permanent shelter
- Ways to earn income – including returning to work and the rebuilding of affected businesses
- Long-term infrastructure rebuilding in the form of roads, power grids, sewage lines
Vetted Funding Options
- Center for Disaster Philanthropy Nepal Earthquake Recovery Fund
- American National Red Cross
- American Jewish World Service
- UNICEF
- Habitat for Humanity
- World Vision
- Catholic Relief Services
- Lutheran World Relief
- Doctors Without Borders
- Handicap International
- World Food Program USA
- Give2Asia
Funder Webinar May 1st
Center for Disaster Philanthropy and the Council on Foundations are hosting a webinar on May 1st 11:00 am – 12 noon PST (2:00pm – 3:00 pm EST) to discuss the needs and donor opportunities in Nepal.
Local Funders
NCG member Give2Asia has established a 2015 Nepal Earthquake Fund
Give2Asia is currently conducting our initial assesments with local partners in Nepal to develop a long-term rehabilitation initiative that factors in environmental, psycho-soical, education, livelihood, and healthcare needs in the aftermath of such a tragedy. Since 2001, Give2Asia has responded to over 40 natural disasters in Asia, developing sustainable rehabilitation programs with local organizations with expertise specific to the affected areas and people.
The Seva Foundation, based out of Oakland, has established an earthquake relief fund to support emergency relief efforts.
Food for Thought
Considerations for the Disaster Relief to Nepal, Nonprofit Quarterly
World Rushes to Provide Relief in Nepal, Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Many thanks to our friends at Southern California Grantmakers who shared many of the resources listed above with us. It’s during times like this that we (NCG, SCG and SDG) all pull together to share information in order to provide our members the resources they need.