Mercy Corps Prepares Emergency Response in Nepal

PORTLAND, Ore., April 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The global humanitarian organization Mercy Corps is preparing an emergency response in Nepal following Saturday's massive earthquake. Early reports indicate hundreds of people have been killed and thousands more injured in the 7.8-magnitude quake, the strongest to hit the region in 80 years. Donations are needed to fund lifesaving aid and recovery efforts, and Mercy Corps is accepting donations to its Nepal Earthquake Response Fund online at https://www.mercycorps.org/donate/survivors-need-your-help-now.

"Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and all those in the region experiencing the effects of the quake," says Neal Keny-Guyer, Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Corps. "As we better understand the needs on the ground, we will deploy our teams to where they'll have the greatest impact."

With more than 90 dedicated team members in the country, Mercy Corps has worked in Nepal since 2006 to help communities achieve greater prosperity, improve food security, increase opportunities for youth and women, and prepare for stronger recovery from natural disasters.  Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, with about one-third of its citizens living below the national poverty line on less than $0.25 per day. Another one-third lives on less than $2 per day.

"From experience we know that as we rush to meet immediate humanitarian needs, it's critical we keep an eye on longer term rebuilding and recovery," says Keny-Guyer. "We are there to help connect the survivors of this earthquake to the resources they need."

Recognized as a leader in delivering rapid, lifesaving aid to hard-hit communities, Mercy Corps has responded to almost every global emergency in the past 20 years, including Philippines typhoon (2013), the Japan earthquake and tsunami (2011), Horn of Africa drought and hunger crisis (2010) and Kashmir earthquake (2005). Mercy Corps was also one of the first responders to the Indian Ocean tsunami (2004) and Haiti earthquake (2010).

To support Mercy Corps' Nepal Earthquake Response Fund, go to https://www.mercycorps.org/donate/survivors-need-your-help-now.

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SOURCE Mercy Corps

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http://www.mercycorps.org