A deadly avalanche on Mt. Everest recently claimed the lives of 16 Sherpas in the worst climbing accident in the mountain's history. In response, the American Himalayan Foundation has created the Sherpa Family Fund to support the families and educate the children left behind.
The April 18th avalanche struck as Sherpas were preparing a route through the treacherous Khumbu Icefall for the upcoming climbing season. This tragedy is a reminder that, while climbing Everest has become more popular over the last 60 years, Sherpas and their families continue to bear much of the risk involved.
Alongside the late great Sir Edmund Hillary, AHF has worked closely with the Sherpa community for over 30 years and we are deeply saddened by this news. 100% of what AHF receives forthe Sherpa Family Fund will go directly to help the families of the deceased.
Families already devastated by the loss of a loved one must now face uncertain futures without their sole bread-winners, so it is the aim of the Sherpa Family Fund to mitigate some of the material hardship they will experience. And with our deep roots in the Sherpa community, we are committed for the long-term.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).