There’s no doubt that Nepal, one of the world’s poorest countries, needs international assistance following the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the country on April 25.
According to CNN, early estimates of reconstruction costs range from $5 billion (HIS), while damage costs would likely fall between $1 billion and $10 billion (U.S. Geological Survey). Then, there is the fact that tourism — the country’s major industry, supporting 500,000 jobs — will suffer for some time.
We applaud the following travel industry organizations for their efforts to organize immediate support.
GeoEx Foundation
GeoEx Foundation, in association with the GeoEx tour operator, is collecting donations for earthquake relief efforts. Be sure to select your amount and specify "Nepal Earthquake Relief" in the "Additional Instructions About My Donation" field. GeoEx donations are tax-deductible.
www.geoex.com/about/nepal-earthquake-relief
Planeterra Foundation
Planeterra Foundation’s has reached its initial goal of raising $75,000, but has upped its target to $100,000, which means you can still help. The organization has already delivered $10,000 in immediate emergency relief aid, including water, food, fuel and blankets for affected villages in the Kathmandu Valley. Other funds will be used in the long term for rebuilding and repairing the homes of porters, guides, homestay hosts and the women from Planeterra’s Sisterhood of Survivors community project in Kathmandu.
As G Adventures covers the administrative costs of Planeterra, 100 percent of donations will go directly to relief and rebuilding efforts in Nepal. Donations are processed in Canadian Dollars.
sna.etapestry.com/fundraiser/PlaneterraFoundation/NepalEarthquake
The Intrepid Foundation
The Intrepid Foundation, a nonprofit associated with Intrepid Group, has set up an emergency Nepal Earthquake Appeal to raise funds for the earthquake-affected areas. The Intrepid Foundation, in partnership with Plan International, has matched $78,545 worth of donations, dollar for dollar, for a total of $157,090.
The organization is still accepting donations and will cover all administration costs. Donations are processed in Australian Dollars.
www.theintrepidfoundation.org/projects/emergency-earthquake-appeal
Tourism Cares
A donation to Tourism Cares’ Nepal Recovery Fund will contribute to both immediate and long-term recovery plans. Tourism Cares will work with local industry leaders, Solimar International and other tourism projects in identifying needs for tourism recovery, working with revitalizing Nepal’s tourism marketing and contributing to training and recovery for travel industry professionals in the region.
www.tourismcares.org/nepalrecovery
MORE WAYS TO HELP
Adventure Travel Trade Organization
Adventure Travel Trade Organization (ATTA) is currently in the process of announcing an industry assistance fund in partnership with Outdoor Industry Association.
In the meantime, ATTA has begun a Nepal Crisis & Rebuild 2015 group for members in its online community, the Hub. Members can also access relevant crisis management and community support documents and webinars.
members.adventuretravel.biz
Charity Navigator
Travel agents looking to donate directly through a charity can find one through Charity Navigator. All charities included on the site are vetted and reliable, offering different kinds of aid toward relief and rebuilding.
www.charitynavigator.org
