Woman Raising Money to Help Nepal Earthquake Victims

>>News Alerts: Subscribe to a free email newsletter: BETHESDA •ROCKVILLE • SILVER SPRING

A Rockville resident who has relatives in earthquake-rattled Nepal will accept donations this week at the Rockville Town Center to help earthquake victims.

Namita Acharya will be at the center on May 7, 8 and 9 from 4 to 8 p.m., reports Montgomery Community Media. Acharya is a native of Nepal and has many family members still living in the country that was rocked by a severe earthquake April 25. She is the webmaster for the Montgomery County Council.

Last week, Acharya and volunteers raised $1,066. All money raised will be given to the nonprofit Plan International, she said, which fights child poverty.

The death toll from the magnitude-7.8 earthquake has reached 7,500, reports Voice of America, while another 14,500 people have been injured. The earthquake toppled buildings in Katmandu, and triggered avalanches on Mount Everest that killed climbers on the world’s tallest peak. The New York Times reports at least 18 mountain climbers died from falling rock and ice on Everest.

Montgomery County residents who want to help those in Nepal donate to a reputable international relief organization such as the American Red Cross, Oxfam or UNICEF, Acharya says.

The country needs food, clean water and medical supplies.

An online site Nepal Earthquake allows survivors to register their names, and families can post seeking information about loved ones.

CARE, a humanitarian organization providing emergency aid and fighting global poverty, is accepting donations for emergency food, water and shelter. You can also give to the American Red Cross Nepal earthquake relief effort.

»Photo of fundraiser at Rockville Town Center, courtesy of Montgomery Community Media

Other Stories About This On Patch:

• AmeriCares Sends Personnel, Supplies to Nepal Following Devastating Earthquake
• Google Exec, Adventurer Tragically Killed In Mt. Everest Avalanche
• Santa Monica Filmmaker Killed by Nepal Quake’s Mount Everest Avalanche