At least one dead in Tibet and dozens more in Nepal after new earthquake [Video]

Last updated on: May 12, 2015 at 6:46 pm by Justin Whitaker

At least one dead in Tibet and dozens more in Nepal after new earthquake [Video] 2015-05-12T18:46:34-06:00 Justin Whitaker

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A second major earthquake, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, has struck Nepal. This one hit roughly 50 miles west of Kathmandu, halfway between there and Mt Everest, just south of the border with Tibet. Chinese news agencies have reported one death in Tibet, adding to the 26 killed in last month’s 7.8 magnitude quake. CNN reports that at least 66 people have died in Nepal as a result of today’s quake. Additionally, an American helicopter has been reported missing after flying a rescue mission in the affected area.

The location of today’s quake is more remote and smaller in magnitude, meaning fewer deaths are likely, but the area affected by severe shaking is still home to an estimated 60,000 people in small mountainside and valley villages, built with very basic materials and susceptible to land and mudslides as well as simply collapsing due to the earthquake. Two smaller quakes, a 6.3 and a 5.1 magnitude, were also felt in the area.

The latest USGS estimates on fatalities for this quake is between 100 and 1000 (this figure has been updated from earlier, lower, estimates):

For a list of reputable international NGOs working in Nepal, see “5 ways to help victims of the Nepal earthquake.”

Rumors have spread that the Nepali government, notorious for corruption, is seizing funds from major NGOs. However, as the Nepali Times reports:

Firstly, let us be clear: registered NGOs can receive funds from outside the country. The government has declared that any funds sent from outside the country to NGOs who were created solely for earthquake relief will be re-routed to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. NGOs with existing registrations prior to the earthquake are unaffected by this rule. Funds to these NGOs will not be seized.

Local community-based organisations with ties to the affected villages are those that are affected the most by these rumours. These smaller organisations can leverage even relatively small donations incredibly well because they understand Nepal, are run by Nepalis, and are committed to taking care of their own communities. These organisations need and can utilise quickly small donations provided by the Nepali diaspora and other supporters.

It is vital that these rumours are put to rest, funds can flow without interruption, and aid can reach some of the most neglected and affected communities.

Nonetheless, reports of difficulties for major organizations on the ground have been substantiated. I’ve also listed 12 Buddhist Organizations working on the ground in Nepal (more are in the comments there), many of whom are community-based and are reaching out to more remote areas.

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