A 7.3-magnitude earthquake shook eastern Nepal, near Mount Everest, May 12. This quake comes just two weeks after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated the country, killing more than 8,000 people and destroying entire communities. At least 39 more people have been confirmed dead and more than 1,000 people are injured.

Nepal District Superintendent Dilli was in a warehouse where the Nazarene Disaster Response team was receiving additional aid for families in need when the quake hit.

He explains the mood in the area as one of fear.

“Today was a hard day because many pastors called me," Dili said. "People are scared. They are scared to sleep in their houses. The pastors said they all need tents, and everyone in their churches need tents.”

Steve Jeter, a documentarian on assignment with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, was in Durbar Square when the earthquake struck.

“It was a powerful representation of the continuing fragility of the situation and the trauma that the people here have suffered,” he said, “and above all the resilience of the Nepali people in the face of this ongoing tragedy.”

Dilli added that several emergency relief organizations were beginning to wind down their efforts, but there is still need for emergency assistance. 

Yesterday, the Nazarene Disaster Response team (made of church leaders, volunteers, and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries staff) offloaded a shipment of thousands of pounds of food, tents, hygiene kits, and water filters. The team will continue to distribute items to communities in need.

In addition to those affected by the new earthquake, there are many remote communities in Nepal who are still waiting to receive aid, according to the UN.

“I have never witnessed so much compassion, prayer, help, and willingness to contribute in practical ways as during this crisis," said Arthur Snijders, Eurasia regional director. "It feels like we are joining hands all over the world to bring relief to those suffering in Nepal. I am very proud of our Nazarene family. Let’s continue to stand with our people as the country faces another earthquake today.”

How to help

Pray

People are scared – pray for peace and a sense of God’s presence in the midst of fear. Pray for those who are grieving, pray for those who are hungry and hurting, pray for vulnerable children and families, pray for those responding to the disaster, and pray for our church leaders and members in Nepal.

Give

Your donations will provide for ongoing emergency needs, including water, food, tents, and blankets, as well as other long-term recovery efforts. 

To support Nazarene disaster response efforts, you can give to the Nepal Earthquake Response Fund.

To send donations by mail, find your country below.

In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to: 

Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116

Be sure to put ACM1549 in the Memo area.

In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:

Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3

Be sure to put ACM1549 in the Memo area.

In Germany, send your donation to Helping Hands Germany:

Helping Hands e.V. - Gelnhausen, Germany

IBAN DE56 5075 0094 0000 022394

SWIFT-BIC HELADEF1GEL

For any other country, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the NCM Nepal Earthquake Relief.

Share

To stay updated on news from Nepal, visit ncm.org/nepal.

Churches can download resources, including a bulletin, presentation, photos, and videos here. 

--Nazarene Compassionate Ministries