April 27, 2015
This weekend, a huge earthquake and very powerful aftershocks devastated the city of Katmandu and the surrounding area in Nepal. The primary quake, measured at 7.8 on the Richter scale, destroyed thousands of buildings. The death toll is reported to be 3200 36 hours after the quake and is expected to rise.
For an “on the ground” perspective read the New York Times article, “Perseverance and Grace as Nepal Is Turned Upside Down” by Donatella Lorch.
“Those who survived know they are lucky. Lucky that this did not happen during the frigid winter or monsoon season. Lucky that the quake hit in daylight rather than at night, when more people would have been indoors and casualties would have been worse. Lucky that it was a Saturday, when children were not in schools, most of which were shoddily built.”
Please help if you can. The New York Times has provided a list of organizations accepting donations for earthquake relief. For that information please visit the page “Nepal Earthquake: Where to Donate.”
