Nepal Earthquake – How To Help April 28, 2015

Nepal has been struck by the biggest earthquake in over 80 years on Saturday, 25 April 2014. Kathmandu the most populous region has been hit the hardest. The devastating magnitude of 7.8 Richter scale has claimed more than 3,000 lives caused thousand more injured, destroyed the infrastructures, historic buildings, temples and homes and subsequent avalanches triggered in the Himalayas. The destruction have left massive piles of debris everywhere.

In times like this, Relief organizations around the world are already on the ground working to support the Nepalese people. Here’s how you can support them. http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/04/25/nepal-earthquake-how-help

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Nepal Red Cross Society – http://www.nrcs.org

The organization is providing first aid, search and rescue, blood to medical facilities and support to first responders. Here is its online donation link;http://www.nrcs.org/donate-nrcs please note that their website connectivity is on and off, so you might not be able to get through.

ActionAid USA – http://www.actionaidusa.org

The organization is on the ground working with government ministries and emergency response teams to coordinate needed supplies to earthquake victims. With a minimum donation amount of $5.00 you can support this effort here: https://act.actionaid.org/usa/nepal-earthquake-emergency-appeal

American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) – http://www.jdc.org

The group is sending aid teams from India and shipping supplies to Nepal, with an emphasis on women and children: neonatal incubators, emergency learning centers, and community-based support programs for women and children. To support their please donate online here: https://secure3.convio.net/jdc/site/Donation2;jsessionid=B98EB528598A06DD34E7A7B239BF34AA.app359a?df_id=4102&4102.donation=form1

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) – http://ajws.org

This organization has set up the Earthquake Emergency Relief Fund to raise and distribute emergency relief and provide long-term recovery for the people of Nepal. https://secure.ajws.org/site/Donation2?df_id=8880&8880.donation=form1

American Red Cross – http://www.redcross.org

The group is backing up efforts by Nepal Red Cross to respond to the earthquake, including first aid, search and rescue, blood for medical treatment, and support for first responders. It has around 19,000 kits already in Nepal to supply basic material needs for survivors including clothing, kitchen items, and personal hygiene supplies. AmeriCares disaster relief fund:https://www.redcross.org/combined-donate

AmeriCares – http://www.americares.org

A global emergency response and health organization, AmeriCares has dispatched an emergency response team from its offices in Mumbai, India to Nepal and is shipping medical and relief supplies for survivors of the earthquake. AmeriCares disaster relief fund: https://secure.americares.org/site/Donation2?df_id=15220&15220.donation=form1

British Red Cross – http://www.redcross.org.uk

The international organization built a solar-powered blood bank last year in anticipation of such a national disaster. With emergency responders living in Nepal, trained experts are helping with rescue relief and first aid. Donate here: http://www.redcross.org.uk/nepalearthquake

Catholic Relief Services – www.crs.org

The group has landed emergency staff in Kathmandu and intends to begin work by helping 10,000 families with emergency shelter and material supplies. Please donate here: https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=4D36B909F63799F8EEF0D0C0FB8C1526.app262b?df_id=8400&8400.donation=form1

CARE – http://www.care.org

This group is working to assist around 100,000 survivors in Kathmandu with shelters, meals, water purification, and sanitary toilets. Donate here: https://my.care.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=CBA258A47FAB9494C2F3DD4B9894C32C.app330a?18840.donation=form1&df_id=18840

Convoy of Hope – http://www.convoyofhope.org

This group has a team with equipment and supplies en route to Nepal. The charity is working with a network of 100 churches and organizations who are ready to respond to those in need. Support their efforts here: https://secure2.convio.net/cohope/site/Donation2;jsessionid=C07B4F762CAC831074A74578FDE56B41.app261a?df_id=2868&2868.donation=form1

ChildFund International – http://www.childfund.org

This group has launched an emergency appeal to provide urgent care and protection for children who’ve lost homes and loved ones in the earthquake. The organization is responding in the Sindhupalchok district, one of the worst-affected areas. Donate here: https://www.childfund.org/help-nepal/

Concern Worldwide – http://www.concernusa.org

This group is working to provide those in need in Nepal with emergency supplies for the shelter, cooking, and hygiene. You can specify which of these supplies you want to help provide when you make your online donation: https://secure2.convio.net/cww/site/Donation2;jsessionid=F467ADA166B81E922B595163BE543BBD.app262a?df_id=1882&1882.donation=form1

Direct Relief – www.directrelief.org

This group focuses on medical assistance. It is coordinating with Nepal-based partners, as well as corporate and technology firms like Palantir, to help overflowing medical facilities just beyond Kathmandu. Donate here: https://secure2.convio.net/dri/site/Donation2?df_id=2105&2105.donation=form1&set.SingleDesignee=1581&_ga=1.98664094.1471225155.1430002813

Doctors Without Borders – www.doctorswithoutborders.org

The French aid organization has sent eight emergency response teams to Nepal, including a surgical team headed for Katmandu planning to set up mobile medical clinics to reach victims in remote areas.

Global Giving – www.globalgiving.org

The American nonprofit has set up a donation page from which a portion of the money received will go to emergency efforts while also focusing on long-term aid in what will likely be a long recovery period for the poor nation. To donate click here: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/nepal-earthquake-relief-fund/

Habitat for Humanity – http://www.habitat.org

The group disaster response teams are working with local government groups and relief agencies to assemble emergency shelter kits to house displaced earthquake victims. You can donate here: https://www.habitat.org/cd/giving/one/donate.aspx?link=568

Handicap International – https://handicapinternational.nationbuilder.com

This group is providing wheelchairs and assistance to local hospitals which are overwhelmed. The organization is focused on making sure survivors receive the care they need to avoid developing permanent disabilities. You can go online to directly support their Nepal Earthquake Response: https://handicapinternational.nationbuilder.com/donate_now_nepal_emergency

International Medical Corps – https://internationalmedicalcorps.org

International Medical Corps emergency response teams are on the ground and bringing lifesaving medicine and supplies to earthquake survivors. In addition to medical supplies, the teams will also be distributing hygiene kits and water purification tablets to prevent outbreaks of illnesses, a major problem during humanitarian crises.

Islamic Relief USA – www.irusa.org

The group has dispatched emergency response teams from India, and started a $100,000 appeal to raise funds for humanitarian aid.

Lutheran World Relief – https://www.kintera.org

This organization has staff on the ground assessing the damage and the immediate needs of those affected. You can donate to their Nepal Earthquake Fund which will help them provide water filtration units, quilts, personal care kits and more. Donate here: https://www.kintera.org/site/c.dmJXKiOYJgI6G/b.9274577/k.9A5A/Nepal_Earthquake/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=dmJXKiOYJgI6G&b=9274577&en=9iJHKUPzE8IQL4NCK7JNJ0OMLsLULYMIImLVI7NMLkIRI2NRLwF

MAP International – http://www.map.org

This organization is responding to earthquake victims on the ground by providing critical medical treatment and supplies like antibiotics and wound care items. To help this organization meet the growing need, donate here: https://www.map.org/nepal-quake

MercyCorps -www.mercycorps.org

This organization has launched the Nepal Earthquake Response fund to help provide food, water, and temporary shelter in the aftermath of this disaster. Donate here: https://www.mercycorps.org/donate/survivors-need-your-help-now

Operation Blessing International – http://www.ob.org

This organization is making plans to provide emergency relief to their partner on the ground, Nepali Rescue Project. Once needs are determined, Operation Blessing will source materials, locally if possible. Donate online to help them give water, food, medical and other emergency supplies. https://secure.ob.org/site/Donation2;?df_id=7900&7900.donation=form1

Operation USA – www.opusa.org

Operation USA is undertaking recovery efforts in Nepal, providing essential supplies for those affected and hospitals in need. You can help their efforts by donating online https://give.opusa.org/checkout/donation?eid=34510 or by texting AID to 50555 to donate $10.

Oxfam International – http://www.oxfam.org

This organization is working to help provide clean water, sanitation and emergency food for those affected by this disaster. Their priority is to prevent disease outbreaks caused by unsanitary conditions.
Donate via Oxfam America here: https://secure2.oxfamamerica.org/page/content/nepal_earthquake/
You can also donate through Oxfam Great Britain here: https://donate.oxfam.org.uk/emergency/nepal?pscid=ps_msn_Emergencies_bing_nepal_earthquake_generic

PayPal – http://www.paypal-community.com

The company has set up a special page for contributions to aid Nepal. 100 percent of contributions will go to an array of emergency relief nonprofits, including many listed on this page.  You can donate here: https://www.paypal-donations.com/pp-charity/web.us/campaign.jsp?cid=35

Plan – http://plan-international.org

The group, which focuses on children’s rights and ending child poverty, is trying to reach rural communities beyond Kathmandu, closer to the epicenter of the earthquake, and assess their needs, according to its website.  They have launched an international website: http://plan-international.org/what-you-can-do/emergency-appeals/nepal-earthquake-appeal that you can support.

Real Medicine Foundation – http://realmedicinefoundation.org

The group is preparing to send medical teams and supplies to help hospitals with their overwhelming number of patients. You can support them online: http://realmedicinefoundation.org/blog/archives/2015/04/26/rmf-prepares-relief-efforts-following-powerful-nepal-earthquake/ or text REALMED to 50555 to make a $10 donation.

Save the Children – www.savethechildren.org

The non-governmental agency has been working in Nepal since 1976. Ten percent of the donations made to the Nepal Earthquake’s Child Relief Fund will be set aside to help prepare for another disaster. You can donate online: http://realmedicinefoundation.org/donate/ to directly support the Nepal Children’s Emergency Relief Fund.

Samaritan’s Purse – http://www.samaritanspurse.org

The group is sending emergency shelter, water, hygiene kits and other emergency supplies. They are also sending a medical team to offer assistance. You can support this by donating to their Nepal Earthquake Response fund: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/article/deadly-earthquake-in-nepal/#donateBottom

Seva Foundation – http://www.seva.org

The group is requesting funds to help meet the growing need of medical treatment for earthquake victims. All contributions will go directly to the organization’s partner hospitals. To help support their efforts you can donate to the Nepal Earthquake Fund: https://secure2.convio.net/seva/site/Donation2?idb=634820634&df_id=4800&4800.donation=form1&idb=0

Shelterbox – http://www.shelterboxusa.org

The group is distributing aid, including tents, that they have prepositioned in the country. You can help them offer shelter to more families in need with a donation: http://shelterboxusa.org/involved.php?page=113

The Jewish Federations of North America – http://fedweb.fedwebpreview.org

The organizations are requesting donations for their Nepal Relief Fund as they work to assess the immediate needs and coordinate emergency supplies to earthquake victims: https://secure-fedweb.jewishfederations.org/page/contribute/nepal-relief-fund

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) – http://www.ifrc.org

This is prepping resources from its hubs in New Delhi, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. The federation is releasing funds from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund to support vital services including food, shelter, water and sanitation. You can aid their efforts by donating here: https://www.ammado.com/community/154728/donate

UNICEF – www.unicef.org

The organization states on its donation page that it will be there to help Nepalese children “before, during and after a crisis.” You can help by donating online: https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/nepal-earthquake-help-children-now/24226?utm_campaign=2015_misc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=20150425_twitter-unicefusa&utm_content=post&ms=soc_soc_2015_misc_20150425_twitter-unicefusa_post&initialms=soc_soc_2015_misc_20150425_twitter-unicefusa_post

World Food Program – www.wfp.org

This group states that it has set up a relief hub at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport to manage common services for the entire humanitarian response to Nepal’s disaster, including logistics, information technology, and food transportation. You can help by donating online: https://give.wfp.org/5279/?step=country&lead_source=2015-wfp-nepal-emergency-lightbox&form_tag=2015-wfp-nepal-emergency-lightbox

World Vision – http://www.worldvision.org

With power out in the city, aid officials are struggling to determine the full impact of the damage. World Vision says its primary concerns are shelter, food, and water. Along with donating: http://donate.worldvision.org/ways-to-give/by-category/disaster-relief/nepal-quake?_ga=1.83266966.1264799702.1429999518 you can also text NEPAL to 777444 to donate $10.

Malaysia Worst Flooding 2014 Photos – Part 2 January 7, 2015

Photos taken from Ustaz Azhar Idrus’ facebook.  Thank you Ustaz for sharing.

Worst Flooding in Malaysia 2014 – Video 1 January 6, 2015

Video showing the aftermath of the worst Malaysia flooding in December 2014.  I cried when watching this video.  Subhanallah.  Allah is so great.  They lost everyhting, completely everthing.  No fresh water, no electricity…so sad.  May they have the strength to go through their lives now as so much to be done to bring them back to a normal life.  Our prayers are with you people.  AMIN, YA RABBIL ALAMIN.

Hope Malaysian government will do their best to assist these people.

Malaysia Worst Flooding 2014 December 28, 2014

A week has gone and we heard nothing in the media social but flooding issues that hit 5 northern states in Malaysia. Kelantan got hit the most.  Media social have been posting photos and textes from desperate people who are asking for help. More than 100,000 poeple were evacuated from their homes to a safer area but more are still trapped and are still hoping to be relocated.

The number of evacuatees this year surpassed the record in 2008 as informed by The New Straits Times.  This is the worst monsoon floods in decades.  Extremely high level of water and with very bad weather and also high current of water flowing have made relocating of victims and transport of food, medical supplies and clean water are difficult even by helicopters.

As local media carried photographs of people wading through flood waters as deep as two metres (6.5 feet) and entire houses submerged by rising water, the government faced criticism for not declaring a state of emergency to help devastated communities

At least five people have been killed by the rising waters.  Among the dead was a todler who was swept away by a strong currents after she fell from her mother’s arm while they were wading in waters on their way to a relief centre.  A young couple went missing after it became entrapped in a whirlpool and capsized.

On Tuesday last (Dec 23, 2014), nearly 60 foreign tourists were among almost 100 people rescued by boat and helicopter from a Taman Negara.

Najib has come under fire for going on holidays in Hawaii, where he was seen golfing with President Barack Obama. People have posted messages on his Facebook page, questioning why he was not at home to deal with the flooding crisis and urging him to return home as the flooding worsened.

To the Malaysian or to the ordinary people like me, the photo shows an insensitve attitude of the PM, while the people are suffering, the PM can happily go for a holiday whatmore having his golfing time with President Obama.  To the Malaysian it is important for the PM to come up and show face not only looking out from the helicopter windows but wading the water to see the situation to show that he cares.  To us a PM is like a captain of a ship.  Any responsible captain will not abandon his ship in distress and delegating his duty to the assistant. A captain does not bail out if the ship in sinking, but he must be there to take charge.  Similarly for Najib, he must be at home to take charge of the situation. No one expect him to wade through the water to save lives.  Call it bad timing, call it bad planning…but our PM should have anticipated that floods will hit us this time of the year.  Instead of flying off for a vacation, he should have stayed through to ensure that disaster relief is well handled during the monsoon.  Right now, Najib is perceived as a PM who really cares more about his own personal pleasures than about the rakyat’s suffering.

A not so intelligent reply from the DPM is not only putting a smirk on the Malaysian face but also shows how much the PM cares towards his people.  DPM quoted ” We must be fair. The prime minister also has his time for a break as he has been working so hard. He is also a human being. I told him not to worry and to have trust in me, we will manage the issue in whatever way we can. There is no need for Najib to come back immediately. If I cannot handle the issue, then I will call Najib to return to Malaysia,”

Critics also charged PM’s government for failing to respond quickly enough and comemnting for not declaring a state of emergency in the worst hit regions.  Again our DPM responded lamely ” We face floods every year but this is looking to be the worst the country has seen in the last 30 years. Unless there was a total breakdown in electricity or water supply, or if the number of evacuees rises to over hundreds of thousands, we will not declare a state of emergency.”

Whatever the reasons that the PM’s cabinet ministers are giving, Malaysia should look into ways to prevent the same crisis to happen again.  Our DPM quoted ” we faced flood issues every year “,  So? Did the government put up strategies to reduce the issues?  Did we plan anything months before the moonsoon comes so that we are prepared?

Why can’t the Malaysia government take an advice from the Dutch as we all know Dutch are an expert when comes to water management.  Read this article about it.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/16/flooding-netherlands?CMP=share_btn_tw

Only them knows the answer why they are not asking for an expert for some help 😦

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Photos from the flooding.  

Japan earthquake and tsunami: How to help March 17, 2011

This is worth sharing.

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By Lili Ladaga – Fri Mar 11, 11:48 am ET

Japan was hit by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded on March 11. The magnitude-9.0 quake spawned a deadly tsunami that slammed into the nation’s east coast, leaving a huge swath of devastation in its wake. Thousands of people are dead and many more are still missing or injured.

Japan has often donated when other countries have experienced disasters, such as when Hurricane Katrina impacted the United States. Below are organizations that are working on relief and recovery in the region.

AMERICAN RED CROSS: Emergency Operation Centers are opened in the affected areas and staffed by the chapters. This disaster is on a scale larger than the Japanese Red Cross can typically manage. Donations to the American Red Cross can be allocated for the International Disaster Relief Fund, which then deploys to the region to help. Donate here

https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=530196605&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS&vlrStratCode=UMurV8uNyebU80Ql7khVqVcM4Cn%2fATDLk8TCj41nWlhvuydyPINFdDan2Wqtn7%2f3

GLOBALGIVING: Established a fund to disburse donations to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. Donate here.

https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=30-0108263&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS

SAVE THE CHILDREN: Mobilizing to provide immediate humanitarian relief in the shape of emergency health care and provision of non-food items and shelter. Donate here.

https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=060726487&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS

SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army has been in Japan since 1895 and is currently providing emergency assistance to those in need. Donate here.

https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=222406433&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS

AMERICARES: Emergency team is on full alert, mobilizing resources and dispatching an emergency response manager to the region. Donate here.

https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=061008595&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS

CONVOY OF HOPE: Disaster Response team established connection with in-country partners who have been impacted by the damage and are identifying the needs and areas where Convoy of Hope may be of the greatest assistance. Donate here.

https://www.networkforgood.org/Donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=680051386&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: Putting together relief teams, as well as supplies, and are in contact with partners in Japan and other affected countries to assess needs and coordinate our activities. Donate here.

https://www.networkforgood.org/Donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=953949646&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS

SHELTER BOX: The first team is mobilizing to head to Japan and begin the response effort. Donate here.

https://www.networkforgood.org/Donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=200471604&source=YAHOO&cmpgn=NEWS