As of Saturday February 11th, 2022, an estimated 25,000 people are confirmed dead in the region struck by the Feb. 5 earthquake. Some 22 million additional people are believed to be, right now, in urgent need of direct aid, including food, shelter in temperatures close to freezing, and medical attention. Many of the victims died because it remains extremely difficult for aid agencies to reach the impacted areas. Many more will die if we don't act now.

This campaign is simple. I am a professor at UT Austin and an archaeologist who worked for over a decade in the area now impacted by the catastrophe. I am in daily, direct contact with friends and colleagues there, who have told me the best thing we could possibly do would be to immediately send money directly to individuals so that people on the ground can get the supplies needed to provide assistance for each other.

I have a means of getting donations quickly to my friends, and I'm asking for your help to raise the funds. The friends I am trying to assist are people I have known for over 20 years. They are trustworthy and are doing their best to help those around them, and they are not receiving any other kind of aid. These photos were taken by them. They have been out every day in the towns and villages most impacted, working with very little support to help however they can: all they are missing is the funds to make it happen. That's where you can help.

Your donation will be used for immediate survival needs such as:

Purchasing tents for those who lost their homes
Medicine and first aid for the injured
Food
Household supplies such as cooking and cleaning equipment
Equipment for moving debris

Please help if you can. They are counting on us. Every minute that goes by, we can be saving lives.

Thank you. Your donation means the world to people who have lost their world.

I am glad to answer any questions you may have. I can be contacted directly via this platform, on Twitter @stephenniem or via email: smulder AT austin.utexas.edu.

Emergency Appeal for Direct Aid to Earthquake Victims

By Stephennie Mulder

Emergency Appeal for Direct Aid to Earthquake Victims

Your donation direct to those who need it most