Alumni, Students Organize Earthquake Relief Efforts

CMU alumni and students are creating and supporting numerous relief efforts for victims of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal on Saturday, April 25. Here are examples of efforts underway:

Pittsburgh-based watchmaker Michael Kobold (DC'01) recently co-founded the Soarway Foundation to provide disaster relief and development aid to Nepal. Kobold has reached the summit of Mount Everest twice, and Nepal's prime minister appointed him a goodwill ambassador in 2012. Kobold's connections to the region and the foundation have been featured this week on Forbes.com and in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Students from CMU's Habitat for Humanity chapter will be selling sweet tea, lemonade and Arnold Palmers for $1 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 1 in the Cohon University Center. All proceeds will be donated to Habitat for Humanity International's efforts to rebuild homes in Nepal.

Suman Giri (E'13, '15) is working with fellow Nepali students at CMU and the University of Pittsburgh and the Nepali Association of Pittsburgh to raise funds online for the American Nepal Medical Foundation's relief fund and International Medical Corps. Both organizations are providing resources and manpower for medical personnel in the regions affected by the earthquake. Facebook is matching donations made to IMC up to $2 million.

The Nepali students also worked with the FORGE student organization and Taste of India to raise more than $2,000 through the Stay Strong Nepal: Nepali Tea Fundraiser on April 28 outside Doherty Hall. Email cmupittnepal@gmail.com to connect with Giri and the Nepali student group regarding additional fundraising efforts.