Video: MUW Students from Nepal Collect Donations for Earthquake Relief

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – Support for those affected by the 7 point 9 earthquake in Nepal this weekend continues to pour in from around the Golden Triangle. Thousands were killed in the quake and rescue crews are still searching for survivors.

Students from Nepal at MUW are pooling their resources and asking for donations after an earthquake left thousands displaced, traumatized and mourning the loss of life.

“In the W, we have like 30-35 Nepalese students and our family back home are suffering. So we’ve been here 3 or 4 years so its like our home and we want to help our family back home from this home,” says Sumitra Karki, President of the International Student Association.

Thousands in Nepal are without safe housing, food and clothing. It’s small airport makes it difficult to send in relief supplies.

“Right now we are in need of a lot of baby clothes and foods because we are lacking in those things. Even UNICEF is having a hard time collecting those things,” says Shristi Khati, a MUW Student.

Though the recovery process will be lengthy, students say reports from family members are giving them hope.

“I’ve lost my home but my mother back home is giving me encouragement to stay positive. This morning I was able to see her in a picture and to see that she’s already active in helping other people in need,” says Sadhana Thapa, a MUW Student.

MUW is home away from home for these Nepalese students and University officials say they intend to give them as much support as needed.

“When this kind of situation happens, my main job and focus is the students. To make sure that they’re supported, that I can be accessible, and make sure that I can be there for any of their needs that they might have,” says Billy Simmons, Coordinator for MUW’s International Student Services.

Disaster response teams in Nepal are now working to provide drinking water and to keep disease from spreading in the temporary housing camps.

Students say they’ll have donation boxes set up all over MUW’s campus, at local gas stations and churches.

To donate, please read the following info provided by students at MSU and MUW: