Cash on the streets of Kathmandu

Many large organizations are raising money for earthquake victims and relief in Nepal. Though that kind of major relief is the most important in the long run, it often misses the immediate needs of those suffering.

Here's a quote from The New York Times. It makes clear that people need cash on the streets:

“Only this tent was provided by the government, but for everything else we have had to rely on our own labors,” he said as relatives swayed their heads in agreement. “You can see how many humans are in need.”

Thi is because a local market culture is the way Nepal works. Natural disaster or not, necessary supplies are going to be brought in by individual truckers and other transporters - a lot of it carried by hand - and sold in local markets. 

The only way to help people then get the things they need is to get some cash into their hands.

I have lived in Nepal for years and have close, trustworthy friends. Every cent (minus the fees that GoFundMe rather disgracefully charges for emergencies even of this magnitude and the Western Union fees, which WU is discounting 50 percent) of the money raised in this campaign will be distributed by my friends to people in immediate need of food and milk for children, tarpaulins for shelter in this rainy season and bandages, medecines - whatever exigencies they will determine immediately. The money can be transferred - the first 100,000 rupees already has been - so that it can be put to work right away.

And, they will help, if possible, to feed local animals who are suffering and starving, too.

The world's billionaire class has been silent on this cataclysm, while tens of thousands are dead and maimed for life. 

Let's do what we can.