Nepal Quake--Help for Staff
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A second devastating earthquake hit Nepal today, just 2 1/2 weeks after the first. Both have devastated families, disrupted food and medical supplies, collapsed houses, shattered cherished temples and historic sites, destroyed roads and infrastructure. As many of you know, I have been working in Nepal with colleagues from Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Helen Keller International (HKI) for over 12 years. Nepal has become a 2nd home. I was there just a week before the first major quake hit.
With JHU colleagues, I am working with local partners in 21 (out of 75) districts to assess agricultural patterns, household food insecurity, diets and nutritional status of women and children. With our HKI team, we are implementing nutrition and homestead food productoin interventions in the 40 most food insecure districts. Of course, all of our pre-earthquake activities have taking a back seat to relief efforts, as staff are moblized to undertake emergency nutrition and health assessments and provide essential goods to affected areas.
The economic impact of the earthquakes will be felt for a long time on what was already one of Asia's poorest nations. Tourism, a major source of jobs and income, has taken a big hit. Rural infrastructure, essential for moving food and other goods and services to poorer and remote communities, suffered major damage. Several of my Nepali colleagues have lost their homes and are in need of assistance.
My goals is to raise $15,000 to (1) help Nepali colleagues who have lost their homes and (2) purchase essential supplies for the 9,000+ homes that as our research teams will visit in the next 2-3 months.
Thanks for whatever support you can offer.
Namaste.
Rolf
With JHU colleagues, I am working with local partners in 21 (out of 75) districts to assess agricultural patterns, household food insecurity, diets and nutritional status of women and children. With our HKI team, we are implementing nutrition and homestead food productoin interventions in the 40 most food insecure districts. Of course, all of our pre-earthquake activities have taking a back seat to relief efforts, as staff are moblized to undertake emergency nutrition and health assessments and provide essential goods to affected areas.
The economic impact of the earthquakes will be felt for a long time on what was already one of Asia's poorest nations. Tourism, a major source of jobs and income, has taken a big hit. Rural infrastructure, essential for moving food and other goods and services to poorer and remote communities, suffered major damage. Several of my Nepali colleagues have lost their homes and are in need of assistance.
My goals is to raise $15,000 to (1) help Nepali colleagues who have lost their homes and (2) purchase essential supplies for the 9,000+ homes that as our research teams will visit in the next 2-3 months.
Thanks for whatever support you can offer.
Namaste.
Rolf
Organizer
Rolf Klemm
Organizer
Baltimore, MD