Skorton expresses concern following Nepal earthquake

President David J. Skorton issued the following statement April 26:

On behalf of the entire Cornell University community, I pause during our celebration of Charter Day to express great concern for the people affected by yesterday’s devastating earthquake in Nepal near its capital, Kathmandu. The earthquake and its many aftershocks have caused destruction and loss of life well beyond the country’s borders.

The Cornell community has many personal and professional ties to the region through our faculty, students, staff, alumni, parents and friends. Our deepest sympathy goes to those who have experienced losses during this tragic event. We have reached all of our students in Nepal, and we know they are safe. We have started establishing ways to provide them with continuing support. If you would like additional information, or if you are aware of a faculty or staff member who is in Nepal on Cornell business, please contact Craig McAllister (craig.mcallister@cornell.edu), director of risk management and insurance, or Alexis E. Santí (asanti@cornell.edu), coordinator of travel safety.

We hope that the region quickly will begin to recover. I encourage all Cornellians to consider ways we can participate in relief efforts through donations and other kinds of humanitarian aid or through specific expertise. As we learn of opportunities to provide support, we will share updates.

Let us offer our thoughts and hearts now, and our caring assistance going forward, to contribute to rebuilding in Nepal.

 

How you can help

The New York Times posted this list of some of the groups soliciting donations to support their efforts in Nepal:

Oxfam
Oxfam is an international coalition of charities dedicated to fighting poverty. Aid workers from the group are on the ground, preparing to hand out food and water. @Oxfam on Twitter.

World Vision
“We are initiating a response to meet basic, urgent needs with temporary shelter, food, water, emergency health interventions, and other vital aid.” @WorldVision on Twitter.

Red Cross
Volunteers from the Nepal arm of the Red Cross are helping in the search for survivors. @ICRC on Twitter.

United Nations World Food Programme
The United Nations agency is providing food and other aid to survivors. @WFP on Twitter.

Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian organization providing food, water, shelter, medicine and other assistance to earthquake survivors. @SamaritansPurse on Twitter.

CARE
CARE is asking for donations for critical relief. The group said its humanitarian workers were currently on the ground assessing the situation in Nepal and determining the most immediate needs. @CARE on Twitter.

Save the Children
Donations to Save the Children, an organization with extensive reach in Nepal, will go toward efforts to provide protection for children and relief to their families. @SC_Nepal on Twitter.

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Joe Schwartz