Nepal: A Call to Action

InterAction members mobilize to provide emergency relief to affected communities

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May 01, 2015, 08:15 ET

WASHINGTON, May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Early on April 25 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck near Nepal's densely populated capital, Kathmandu. The quake and subsequent aftershocks have caused widespread devastation and loss of life, affecting communities in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. The disaster is the worst to hit Nepal since 1934.

In a recent article, InterAction President and CEO Sam Worthington examined the challenges ahead for relief operations in Nepal and how the American public can best help NGOs responding to the crisis.

After a disaster hits, we often want to know what is the best way to assist those in need. Donate to a trusted organization by visiting InterAction's list of members already responding to crises. http://bit.ly/NepalCrisisList

Nepal: A Call to Action
By Sam Worthington

Six months ago many in the humanitarian system wondered if it was the worst it has ever been, with crises in Syria, South Sudan, and the Central Africa Republic. Then came Ebola. And Yemen. And now Nepal. It is not just the media – we truly have a preponderance of need right now. The thing is, we are all part of a larger system. And that system is overstretched. It takes individual and institutional supporters to provide the flexibility demanded to quickly respond in these high-stakes situations. Over 50 InterAction members had operations in Nepal before the earthquake and they are at the heart of the response.

Nepal planned for an emergency, with a rubble removal strategy already drafted in 2014. The Nepalese government is working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the United Nations agencies, and foreign governments, and we are all linking up with local structures to provide the best response that we can. But to do this, we need resources.

As we look at how time-sensitive response is, and how stretched the world is in responding to tragedy, it is all the more important for every supportive voice to be heard – through aiding response efforts. Cash is pivotal to this. Why? It can be on the ground fast. The main international airport in Nepal has limited landing capacity, so goods arriving there must be lifesaving and particularly benefitted by air transport. Cash allows organizations to procure the exact items needed while supporting the local economy. And it can ensure culturally and environmentally appropriate assistance.

InterAction, the largest coalition of international organizations and partners in the United States, compiled a list of members responding to the Nepal crisis. This consists of member NGOs who certify to a set of ethical guidelines developed to ensure accountability and transparency in finances, governance, and program performance. The list provides updates of members' response activities and links to provide assistance.

We need to have a bigger conversation about how the world can best respond to the seemingly growing amount of crises. For now, a step is to empower organizations to respond to the latest great tragedy and work with the people of Nepal. Each of us must recognize that we are part of a broader system, step up, and help.

InterAction compiles a list of members responding to a crisis, whether it is a natural disaster or other complex emergency. Crisis lists are initiated based on the scale of the emergency, the likelihood of a response by the U.S. government and U.S.-based NGOs, and the amount of public interest and media coverage. The lists include operational updates of members' response activities and links to provide assistance to the affected populations.