The death toll in Nepal is over 4,600. Over 9,000 are injured and tens of thousands are homeless. 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 we expect the needs to increase. There’s fear and uncertainty from the continued aftershocks. Kathmandu's airport is bottlenecked with the influx of aid flights.

Our partners on the ground are actively assessing the situation and working to provide critical support. Here’s what your support is doing:

• Two of our partners are working to meet immediate needs, including emergency shelter, cash assistance, temporary learning spaces, and other community-based support programs for women and children.

• Transporting medical and shelter supplies to Nepal to support hospitals and health-care providers. The Consulate General of Nepal in New York is helping to facilitate and accelerate the shipping process.

• Partnering to provide medications, and preparing to send emergency medical teams into periphery areas once road access is secured.

• Supporting medical assistance work coordinated with the Nepalese Red Cross.

• Working to provide emergency supplies for children and respond to needs for shelter, nutrition, water, and sanitation.

Our Jewish Federation has 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.

Israel sent an Israel Defense Forces delegation to conduct search and rescue operations in Nepal. It’s also established a fully-functioning field hospital that includes operating rooms, X-ray equipment, and pediatric care. Our Federation will continue to support the IDF Field Hospital and its equipment:

• Following landing delays at the Kathmandu airport, an IDF C-130J aircraft departed Israel Monday morning, April 27, carrying 90 rescue personnel and equipment.

• An El Al 747 aircraft and a second IDF transport plane left Monday afternoon, Israel time, to Kathmandu with some additional 170 rescue and medical staff and 90 tons of medical supplies, including a mobile field hospital. A total of five Israeli planes landed yesterday, bringing much-needed supplies and trained personnel to assist with the rescue efforts.

• Fifty Israeli hikers were evacuated by helicopter from the Langtang region to Kathmandu. In addition, 10 Israeli trekkers were evacuated from the Everest region. 1 Israeli still considered “out of contact.” Many Israelis are trapped in the mountains along hiking routes. The Israeli government is working to reach them, an effort complicated by Nepal’s nationalizing of all helicopters.

• On Sunday evening, April 26, three premature babies born to surrogate mothers for Israeli couples, along with their parents and an injured Israeli man, arrived in Israel aboard an IDF plane. More than 200 Israeli travelers later returned safely to Israel on board the El Al 747 that transported an IDF delegation.

• Two more IDF planes filled with rescue and medical supplies departed for Nepal on Tuesday, April 28.

• The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Israeli insurance companies are working to rent helicopters for rescue operations.

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

Because of your support for the annual campaign we can run emergency campaigns like this without taking overhead for this life-saving work.
Because you care, we can save lives.

 
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