TORONTO — G Adventures has surpassed the $200,000 mark in the aid appeal launched in response to the earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, devastating Kathmandu, Nepal and surrounding areas.
The adventure tour operator increased its initial target from $75,000 to $100,000 on April 27 after meeting it within 48 hours, and matched an additional $25,000 to encourage continued donations.
“We are thrilled with the response to our appeal. Thank you to every person who has contributed and helped spread the word, and continues to do so,” says Bruce Poon Tip, founder, G Adventures.
G Adventures has had a connection with Nepal for 15 years. In line with the company’s approach of working directly with local communities, the tour operator is working with its partners on the ground to identify the critical needs of hundreds of Nepalese people, many of whom depend on tourism as their livelihood.
To address an urgent need, G Adventures delivered $10,000 in rapid mobilization funds, which was used to distribute emergency relief in the form of water, food, fuel and blankets to villages impacted in the Kathmandu Valley.
The balance of funds will be used for the long-term repairing and rebuilding of homes in the region. These include the homes of dozens of porters, guides and homestay hosts, and the homes of the women from Planeterra’s Sisterhood of Survivors <http://www.planeterra.org/sisterhood-of-survivors-projects-85.php> community project in Kathmandu.
Following the second earthquake in Nepal, G Adventures is still accepting donations, at Planeterra’s Nepal Earthquake appeal page <http://bit.ly/1Qx5Sv1>. G Adventures covers all administration costs so 100% of all donations will directly benefit the initiative.