Help Nepal Network raised more than $1 million mainly for housing, health and rebuilding schools
Among the many Nepali individuals and groups that galvanised relief to survivors of the April earthquake, the one that stands out is the organisation of overseas Nepalis, Help Nepal Network (HeNN) which has raised more than $1 million mainly for housing, health and rebuilding schools.
Although HeNN has been active since 1999 to fundraise among the Nepali diaspora for development projects in Nepal, it has been after the earthquake that HeNN has really grown and spread its activities.
“We are really proud to have crossed the one million dollar milestone in our fundraising effort for earthquake relief and reconstruction in Nepal,” says Abhay Shrestha of the US Chapter of HeNN who says nearly half the money has already been disbursed to build 2,000 temporary shelters and running over 60 health camps in the affected districts.
HeNN partners with nearly 100 community organisations across 18 districts to provide food, medicines, construction materials, set up temporary learning centres, and latrines in schools.
In the next phase of its activities, HeNN is working with the Department of Education to redesign schools affected by the earthquake, and some pilot schools have been selected in Sindhupalchok and Nuwakot. Says Shrestha: “In 2016, we plan to focus primarily on rebuilding schools.”
Some 700,000 homes and 8,000 schools were destroyed in the earthquake and aftershocks in April and May. More than 2 million people are facing winter in temporary shelters, and the work of HeNN and other volunteer and private groups have filled the gap left by the government’s late and inadequate response.
HeNN is the largest charitable network of Nepalis around the world.
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Survivors help survivors, Kunda Dixit
Nepalis helping Nepalis, Rubeena Mahato
Back in Barpak, Ayesha Shakya
Information to rebuild