Midstate charity working in Nepal after earthquake

(Kathmandu, Nepal) — Many of the largest and most recognizable international charities like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders are feverishly working in Nepal after this weekend’s earthquake that is estimated to have killed at least 5,000 people.

But a smaller midstate non-profit is also chipping in.

The Mennonite Central Committee, based in Lancaster County, has five staff members helping out.

MCC has been working in the South Asian country since 1950 and has developed partnerships with Nepalese charities so it can answer questions about where help is needed the most.

“Unfortunately, what we’re learning now is that the situation is much worse than in Kathmandu city,” says Luke Reesor-Keller, who has been stationed in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.

Reesor-Keller says they’re trying to reach rural areas to determine how bad the damage is, but many regions were already difficult to get to even before the earthquake.

Speaking to concerns about diseases spreading, Reesor-Keller says “That’s a possibility. If people aren’t able to access clean drinking water within cities and Katmandu or if there’s been major damage.”

He says they’re working with partner charities in Nepal to get food and shelter to those who need it.

They’re respond in three districts in Nepal (similar to counties) with three weeks’ worth of food as well as blankets, tarps and cooking utensils.

Mennonite Central Committee really focuses on long-term recovery – it only recently wrapped up operations in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there.

If you want to contribute to MCC’s efforts, visit this website, call 1-888-563-4676, or mail a check to MCC, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA 17501-0500.