Esteemed Colleague in Religions for Peace:
Allow me to update you briefly on Religions for Peace's relief efforts in Nepal.
First, you will be heartened by knowing that there is a deep solidarity of prayers for our Nepalese sisters and
brothers around the world.
Second, our Religions for Peace family on its different levels is collaborating effectively: Religions for Peace
International (RfP International), Religions for Peace Asia (RfP Asia) and Religions for Peace Nepal (RfP Nepal)
are working as a single team to support our multi-religious collaboration in Nepal.
Third, Ms. Deepika Singh, a Nepalese senior staff at the RfP International Secretariat, is presently working on the
ground-on behalf of RfP International and RfP Asia-to assist RfP Nepal in its implementation of an emergency
relief plan for survivors. Dr. Kul Gautam, Former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and an
International Trustee of RfP, who has extensive experience in humanitarian assistance, is providing expert
guidance to RfP Nepal. He also draws attention to Nepal's extraordinary religious heritage as a source of
national resilience.
RfP Nepal is taking a three-pronged approach to support the people and communities most affected by the
earthquake - immediate emergency relief, advocacy, and coordination/sharing of information among the
religious communities. You will find an outline of the three-pronged approach here.
Our brothers and sisters in Nepal need our continuing support. Permit me, then, to appeal to you yet again to
hold fast in keeping all who are suffering in Nepal in your prayers.
RfP Asia has begun the process of launching an emergency appeal for their RfP colleagues in Asia. For those who
are not contributing through RfP Asia, kindly visit http://www.rfp.org/content/donate-religions-peace to
donate. RfP International, Asia and Nepal will closely coordinate in our joint multi-religious relief efforts in
Nepal.
Yours in partnership,
Dr. William Vendley
Secretary General
777 United Nations Plaza I New York, NY 10017 USA I Tel: 212 687-2163 I www.rfp.org
RfP International, RfP Asia and RfP Nepal
Collaborate to Advance Joint Multi-religious Relief Efforts
[RfP Nepal Religious Leaders (Left) Distributing Supplies to Survivors]
Responding to the devastating earthquake in Nepal and neighboring countries, RfP International and
Asia Secretaries General requested Ms. Deepika Singh, a Nepalese senior staff at the RfP International
Secretariat, to bring our initial support and to meet with the members of RfP Nepal with the aim of
developing a full-fledged plan for immediate emergency relief.
On 4 May, an interfaith prayer service was organized by RfP Nepal with the participation of religious
leaders, women and youth from diverse religious traditions to commemorate the victims and survivors
of the devastating earthquake.
RfP Nepal is taking a three-pronged approach to support the people and communities most affected by
the earthquake – immediate emergency relief, advocacy and coordination/sharing of information
among the religious communities and their relief efforts.
After a rapid assessment of the various affected areas and needs, RfP Nepal has been able to determine
target areas for their immediate relief efforts. On 7 May, two of the most affected areas within
Kathmandu valley – Halchowk and Ramkot – were provided with essential needed supplies and
materials, including hygiene products, pots/pans and utensils, sleeping mats, bed sheets and blankets.
Baha’i, Brahma Kumari, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Muslim and Sikh religious leaders, in a true spirit
of inter-religious collaboration, jointly met with the affected communities to show their solidarity and
distribute much-needed essential supplies to over 130 displaced households who are taking refuge out
in the open air. Relief assistance will be expanded to other towns and villages in various districts of
Nepal in the coming days.
777 United Nations Plaza I New York, NY 10017 USA I Tel: 212 687-2163 I www.rfp.org
[RfP Nepal Religious Leaders Distributing Supplies to Survivors]
For the next phase, RfP Nepal is also exploring the possibilities of implementing the following
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Relief Efforts – provide needed supplies in far - away, remote areas that are not at the moment
accessible.
Partnership – several individual religious communities with the capacity to do so are providing
services. RfP Nepal will partner with them (many of which are member organizations) and
implement activities. They will collaborate with other stakeholders as well.
Spiritual, Psycho-social Support – many people are traumatized and need trauma counseling.
The religious leaders of RfP Nepal could be equipped to provide the needed psycho-social
support and the knowledge to identify and refer those cases that may require professional
assistance.
Long-term Strategy – enable affected communities to be able to generate their own income
and no longer depend on aid (e.g., farming communities will be given seedlings).
777 United Nations Plaza I New York, NY 10017 USA I Tel: 212 687-2163 I www.rfp.org