Today is the first anniversary of the worst earthquake to hit Nepal in more than eight decades. The 7.8 magnitude temblor—which was followed by countless aftershocks and a second powerful 7.3 magnitude quake two weeks later—killed nearly 9,000 people, injured more than 22,000 and displaced more than 188,000 in the small South Asian nation already …
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AJWS is in it for the long haul in Nepal, where recovery from the April 25, 2015, earthquake has been slow, to say the least. AJWS and other international donors have collectively sent billions of dollars to the recovering country, which was already one of the poorest in the world before it hit headlines. But an unprepared and inefficient government, massive fuel shortages and political conflicts have complicated and delayed the delivery of aid and services.
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As a child growing up in rural Nepal, Bishnu Pariyar would walk to school every morning with three other children from her village. During these two hour-long treks, Bishnu’s age mates treated her as an equal, chatting and giggling with her as they would any other friend. But when they stopped for a drink at …
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I recently returned from a three-week trip to Nepal, which was struck by two devastating earthquakes less than six months ago. Since the earthquake, AJWS has raised $2.5 million for Nepal. We funneled this support to grassroots organizations that were poised to respond in the hardest-hit, most vulnerable communities. Our grantees have worked to save lives and rebuild communities despite grave challenges.
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Right now in Nepal, a group of Tibetan Buddhist nuns is trapped in the city of Katmandu, living in sukkot. Not the beautifully decorated, religiously infused sukkot — or “dwellings” — erected as part of the Jewish High Holy Days. Not the kind in which delicious meals are served, songs are sung, and ushpizin — …
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