Nepal Tragedy *UPDATE

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

>A few years ago my eldest daughter along with her friend Rachel volunteered with an Irish charity working with rescued trafficked children called the Umbrella foundation in Khatmandu. They have kept up links with the group and made Nepalise friends. Needless to say they have been devestated and worried beyond belief for the children and the volunteers. The good news is that all the children in Khatmandu are safe although they are living outdoors and relying on the generosity of a great number of Irish donors who are stepping up to the plate as I write.

My concern is for the home village of a frend of the girls who is now studying on a scholorship in Israel and this village has been totally destroyed. It is some hours north of Khatmandu and has had no help so far from any aid organisation. The people are starving, their homes are gone and there is rotting flesh causing a serious health threat. A few of us have sent money and here is a message we got back today:

 Ishwar Kanel 'Hi Rachel , the situation is very bad. Yeasterday 2 people manage to go with motorbike with some food and they have distributed emergency food for around 300 people now they are collecting rice in kathmandu tomorrow they hope to collect 3000kg rice and go to the village i am in contact with them . I am waiting the picture of yesterday food distribution. 8 hours ago · Sent from Messenger Ishwar Kanel Now we need just food to save Just food They haven't eaten 8 hours ago · Sent from Messenger Ishwar Kanel It is terrible We arw the only one to go in the village!!, no government no body They were very happy that we are helping'

So far we have managed to send some money which we are confident can help keep these people alive until help arrives. I know this is a big ask especially since this is NOT a registered charity, just some good people who are doing their utmost in a terrible situation. I sent some money by Western Union today which I know arrived and will be used to purchase food. 

here is one of the pictures of the village we managed to get. If you would like to help please DM me and I will send you the details. A little money goes a long way in Nepal. Jessica says that at the best of times it is desparately poor. 

Thank you

We managed to link with a small charity based in the region. They have a PayPal link and with the money we are sending have brought more food. The region has 30000 people all are in dire need. Still no aid organisations have visited. I am lobbying hard writing to every organisation with updates from people who have family there. Many people died, there are mothers and babies. They have nothing. Here is the link for PayPal. Any any amount no matter how small is put to such good use and is deeply appreciated. Click on this link. http://www.namasteonlus.org/news/urgente-raccolta-donazioni-per-il-...

[Donna, Emma, Bender & Busby]

Hi, Nicky!  If the friend is currently in Israel, would it be possible for her to contact the emergency services there and inquire?  I know that Israel has over 200 emergency personnel on the ground in Nepal and has had an emergency field hospital in place for a number of days.  Perhaps the friend in Israel can get some of those people to her Village.  I have no idea how practical that is....just a thought.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Yes good point, he is doing everything he can and met with the Minister for Agriculture in Israel yesterday. I am also making contact with the Israeli embassy here in Ireland. The big problem is that time is of the essence as the people are literally starving on the side of a mountain. We are transferring money to Khamandu as we have friends there who can get onto motorbikes and take rice and provisions. We have a way to help in the immediate and we are working on getting aid to the village. One of the other villaged was wiped away and all the people killed over 450 with only 7 survivors so this is one of the luckier ones. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Messaged you.

[DJ & Chance]

Nicky, I was in Nepal a few months ago to establish an educational partnership in Katmandu Valley, and my contacts there tell similar stories of devastation and desperation. We did a fundraiser at my school and sent funds raised through a charity for the families of that school--approximately 5o percent have lost their homes. I pray that relief comes soon for the people. One remote location that I visited is almost totally destroyed, and getting food to these locations has been an enormous challenge. Time is of the essence now and I hope that schools and churches across our nation respond quickly and generously.

Thank you for posting this.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I cannot tell you how really upset and worried I am right now for these people. The village that I am helping is possible to reach with a little difficulty.  My daughter worked with an orphanage in Katmandu a few years ago and we have kept in touch since. These people are impossible not to help and we are so privilaged to be able to do something.

[F, Calla & Luca]

This situation is so devastating. I am so sorry your daughter's friend home village was destroyed.

[Carol and Banjo]

Nicky,  You're so very generous and compassionate to be involving yourself so fully here.    I am wondering if people can get money to your contacts by Bitcoin?     Do you know, or can you find out?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I just had a lovely message from the tiny charity in the village thanking all of us who have donated...from the USA, Canada and Ireland.  I am lobbying hard for one of the big aid organisations to help but until then we are IT. I had to drag information from Ishwar about his own family. He told me they have no food and their home is gone along with their goats but they are alive unlike his friends who have lost their whole families. 

Namaste to all who have reached into their pockets for these people I wanted you to know that the money is going directly to where it is needed right now.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you, Nicky, for showing such care and concern. Please keep us updated so that we are reminded to donate again as the need continues.