Canada responds to tragedy, devastation in Nepal

The estimated death toll resulting from an earthquake in Nepal on April 25 is expected to exceed 3,500.

Among the devastation of the magnitude-7.8 earthquake - the worst to hit the country in 80 years - was damage to Kathmandu Valley and several temples in Patan. It also triggered an avalanche that buried part of the Everest base camp, resulting in a number of casualties.

"Telephone service in Nepal has been severely disrupted and it isn’t immediately possible to gauge the extent of possible casualties," said Sanjay Basu, senior vice-president of the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India. "Thousands of people were displaced in Nepal, roads developed huge cracks, and old buildings were flattened. The aftershocks remained mild, but panic-stricken people spent the night under the open sky."

According to reports, 388 Canadians are registered as being in the country.

Canada is contributing $5 million to provide support to the region, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper has authorized the deployment of an assessment team, due to arrive in Nepal in the next few days. 

G Adventures has launched a $75,000 aid appeal in response to the disaster. Funds raised will support the long-term recovery of the affected communities.

“Nepal needs our help. Relief agencies are already mobilizing to provide food, shelter, and medicine to those affected by the earthquake, but it doesn’t end there. It will take months, even years to rebuild the country,” says Bruce Poon Tip, founder, G Adventures.

Donations can be made at http://bit.ly/1PLVBtu. G Adventures covers all administration costs so 100 per cent of all donations will directly benefit the initiative. 

Intrepid Travel has also launched Nepal Appeal, an initiative through The Intrepid Foundation, with a target set at $200,000AUD. The adventure travel company offered to match traveller donations dollar-for-dollar to assist with emergency relief, and originally set a target of $40,000AUD. More than $50,000AUD was received within 24 hours of the launch, resulting in a combined total of $70,000AUD raised for the campaign. The appeal is raising funds for Plan International, a long-term partner of The Intrepid Foundation. The children’s charity has been working in Nepal for more than 30 years to help impoverished children to access, health, education and protection. You can find more information at this link: http://www.theintrepidfoundation.org/projects/emergency-earthquake-appeal/.