Help CRS Assist Nepal Earthquake Victims

The death toll from the two recent earthquakes in Nepal continues to climb, with estimates putting it over 8,500 currently with many still among the missing.

Catholic Relief Services has committed $10 million to the Nepal emergency response, and is partnering with Caritas Nepal to provide 75,000 people with temporary shelter, water treatment and hygiene kits, and blankets. Given the scale of devastation, CRS will likely expand support to reach more people.

The timeliness of humanitarian assistance is critical. In addition to catastrophic loss of life, a singular event like an earthquake, especially for those in impoverished parts of our world, can derail a family's stability, deplete a lifetime of savings and push them over the edge into poverty. For communities, the devastation to infrastructure, economy and reserves can set back a generation. Immediate CRS assistance will serve as a foundation for a more comprehensive recovery effort.

How Can You Help?

Your support helps provide immediate relief. The following costs for relief items are estimates based on similar emergency relief efforts in the region

• $8 provides a water kit for a family. This includes a jerry can, a pail and aqua tabs for water purification.
• $15 provides an emergency shelter kit. This includes tarps and nails to use with local materials to build shelters.
• $22 provides household living supplies. This includes sleeping mats, blankets, utensils, plastics and a cooking pot.
• $28 provides hygiene kits. This includes soap, laundry detergent, a toothbrush, toothpaste and towels.

Catholic Relief Services appreciates your prayers and your support. Gifts can be made online at www.crs.org or by phone at (877) 435-7277. Checks may be sent to:CRS, PO Box 17090, Baltimore, MD  21297-0303, with "Nepal Earthquake" written on the memo line.

Prayer for the People of Nepal
Background Information Handout

For more about this and other critical CRS projects, visit CRS's NEW  Resource Center to find information and ministry tools for prayer, formation and action with a global perspective.