Our thoughts and prayers are with the many affected by this disaster, however we are especially concerned about the relief efforts reaching the Indigenous Peoples of Nepal who make up 40 percent of the national population. Even though they constitute a significant proportion of the population, throughout the history of Nepal Indigenous Peoples have been marginalized in terms of language, culture, and political and economic opportunities and are likely to face marginalization in the long term recovery efforts. Cultural Survival is not a disaster relief organization. We work towards a world in which the rights of Indigenous Peoples are respected, protected, and fulfilled. This fundraiser is a special effort to support Indigenous Nepalese organizations that we know and trust, who are in urgent need of help.
Together with Hindenburg systems, we are collecting donations to help re-establish transmissions from critical local community radio stations in the earthquake zone in Nepal. These stations are vital in the coordination of relief for villagers in the Himalayas. The hope for getting electricity back on in the Himalayan villages soon is grim. "There is no means of communication for villagers for updating on earthquake relief. Not having back up we have been helpless," said Dev Kumar, one of our Indigenous radio contacts in Nepal from the Indigenous Media Foundation and Radio Kairan in Kubu-Kasthali. He is asking for help with purchasing a power generator to get his community radio station back up and running to provide an essential means of communication for villagers on relief efforts as well as to power his community. Cost for this generator would be about $2,500 and it can be obtained from a market one day away from his village. Dev also reports, "We have also teamed up to raise funds to support remote villages where there is no presence of government like in Ramechhap, in the Himalayan region. It takes about two days on foot to reach them."
Ujjwal Shrestha, an artist from Nepal who we work with closely in our bazaars program, sent us this message:
"We have been in trouble after the many earthquakes with in few days. It is said that there were about 100 earthquakes. My home was completely taken down. I'm staying at army camp. Lots of problem here no electricity, no drinking water around here."
Bikalpa Gyan Kedra, an organization in Nepal founded by our Board Member Stella Tamang offers alternative educational opportunities to Indigenous girls and is not a disaster relief organization either, but since the earthquake they have been acting as a shelter to 300 local families. They need basic items like drinking water and food.
We have set up a special fund to assist our Indigenous contacts in Nepal. With your help, we can provide some limited assistance to our friends in desperate need.
Please give what you can. Thank you.
