Thirteen days have passed since the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. The government reports that over 8,400 people have died, over 17,000 have been injured, more than 191,000 homes have been destroyed and over 175,000 dwellings sustained damage. There are reports from remote villages describing devastation, destruction, and dwindling resources.  

Rescue teams are struggling to reach those in need. Nepal’s poor road network, landslides, and the limited number of helicopters are also hampering rescue efforts and the distribution of aid.

As reliable sources of food, water, and medical supplies are depleted it is expected that the needs will increase. There’s fear and uncertainty from the continued aftershocks. Kathmandu's airport is bottlenecked with the influx of aid flights.

Federation’s overseas partner, the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), is on the ground and actively assessing the ever-changing situation and working to provide critical support. Here’s an update from the JDC:

JDC's Rapid Response & Assessment team continues to deliver critical assistance to victims who lost their homes, livelihoods, and most devastatingly, their loved ones, in the disaster. 

JDC is helping remote villages that have sustained widespread house destruction receive critical relief supplies including medicine and tents, in partnership with Heart to Heart.

JDC has assisted the IDF Field Hospital in treating over 700 patients to date by providing medical equipment and supplies.

JDC is ensuring that new shipments of requested medical and relief supplies coming from the United States and from partners such as the Afya Foundation are reaching those most in need.

The Jewish Federations have provided immediate relief and long-term assistance to victims of natural and manmade disasters around the globe, including the Philippines, Haiti, Japan, and South Asia following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. We continue to operate programs designed to rebuild infrastructure and community life in disaster-stricken regions.

You can be proud of what we’re doing, and how we partner to save lives.

Because of your support for our annual campaign we can respond to emergencies without taking overhead for this life-saving work. But with a disaster of this magnitude, funds will be needed for months to come in order to repair and rebuild lives and homes in quake-stricken areas. You can help by giving Federation’s Earthquake Relief Fund here.

Because you care, we can save lives each and every day.  It’s a burden we carry as committed Jews but our actions and philanthropy make a difference.

Thank you for being part of our work.