The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25th killed over 8,500 people, injured more than 23,000, and devastated countless poverty-stricken villages. An aftershock earthquake followed only two weeks later.
READ staff delivers shelter materials, which displaced mothers and newborns are at high risk without 
It was the strongest earthquake Nepal had seen in 80 years, managing to destroy thousands of homes and damage over 1/3 of the country’s READ Centers. This was a heartbreaking sight, as the centers were the sole space for community gathering prior to the earthquakes.
Refusing to give up hope, Nepali villagers mobilized swiftly to rebuild their community and utilized the trainings given at the very READ Centers that were destroyed.
The staff in our centers connected directly with the community members and adjusted READ’s work to fit the needs of the villages – an important example of our unique approach to development. It was only a matter of days before our team members and volunteers were on site delivering food, building shelters, and distributing medical supplies.
READ Center staff finish a “Meeting Users Needs” workshop, where we took a deep look into how to best respond to our communities post-disaster 
READ Center staff build a temporary space that will provide shelter for Nepali villagers 
READ Global is uniquely positioned to play this pivotal role in Nepal’s rebuilding efforts due to the strength of our network.
Because we have READ Centers in the very areas affected by the earthquakes, we’ve been able to provide immediate access to resources like rice, solar lamps, ambulances, and more. Our direct connection allows us to be true agents of change in a way that is unmatched.
The strength of our centers’ networks allow us to provide immediate, direct support 
In addition to immediate relief, READ has also set up child-friendly spaces to continue education, and brings back internet where service has been disrupted 
Right now, the annual monsoon season is in full force. Torrential rain, flooding, and landslides pose yet another threat to people across southern Asia, particularly those living in rural areas with limited access to resources. Our strong network enables our teams to already be on the ground in these areas, where we work directly with the communities to mobilize resources and raise hope towards building back a better Nepal – one person, one family, and one village at a time.
So – what happens next?
READ Global is in this for the long haul. Our centers continue to partner with rural Nepali villages to rebuild their communities, and we will see the repairs from start to finish, long after monsoon season.
Nepali youths thrive in the children’s spaces that READ Centers created post-disaster 
We need your support today to ensure that these villages have access to life-saving resources and services during the most dangerous times of the year. By taking a moment to give an online gift, you will be helping us rebuild our centers back to strong community spaces that empower citizens with education, opportunities, and hope. Please give what you can to our Nepal Earthquake Fund, where 100% of your donation will go directly to our rebuilding efforts.
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