Nepal Earthquake

Dear GlobalGiving Community,

It is amazing how time flies - it is now just over a year after the devastating earthquake in Nepal. So much has happened in that time it's hard to know where to begin. I thought you would find it interesting to read a letter from our 25 Nepal staff members, and to view a series of infographics we created to highlight some of the important parts of this past year in the images around this text:

One year ago today, all of our lives changed in an instant. That which we had believed to be solid and immutable -  the very Earth beneath our feet - shook and turned deadly. In a matter of minutes, nearly 9,000 people were killed and millions left homeless. Ancient temples were reduced to dust, and entire villages were buried under landslides and avalanches whose energy matched that of atomic weapons.

In the weeks and months after the quake, our staff and community partners sprung to action. We provided relief materials and quickly constructed temporary schools in quake-effected communities that other organizations were not able to reach. Our staff members also volunteered their time and expertise to grassroots efforts that had a nationwide impact and gathered international attention.

The list of our accomplishments over the past year is long. We provided immediate shelter to twelve thousand people; built 40 temporary schools that allowed 2,608 students to resume schooling within a month of the quake; pioneered new building designs for earthquake-safe schools; and broke ground on nine new school buildings in some of Nepal's most remote communities.

Despite this success, the bulk of our work remains ahead of us. Community members have identified the need for income generation programs to help them rebuild economically, and we have set an ambitious goal of doubling participation in our livelihoods programs. We have a commitment to rebuild another 22 school buildings, and to train local masons and carpenters on earthquake-safe building techniques.

The earthquake brought us to face hardships that we could not have imagined before. It also taught us how to serve Nepal when our support was needed the most. One year on, dZi has emerged as a stronger, more prepared, and more effective organization than ever before - and this is due entirely to the support we have received from generous individuals from around the globe, including yourself.

In that same instant, we learned that we are part of a global community. Your support for our work, and for Nepal, saved countless lives and helped even more begin the long process of rebuilding. In the near-complete absence of Government support, this has been the only hope for quake victims across Nepal.

One year on, we salute you. Thank you for being a part of our family, for contributing when it mattered the most. One year on, we are looking forward to a bright future together.

Gratefully,

dZi's Nepal Country Office Family

Links:

• dZi Video A Year After the Earthquake