Following the recent earthquake in Nepal, the RIBA has the following advice for members who would like to support the aid efforts:
In the first instance, money is the most important resource. It needs to be channelled through organisations with wide experience of disaster relief, already present in the country, familiar with the territory and well-connected with local organisations and agencies. In the UK, the main channel for making donations is the Disasters Emergency Committee, representing the 13 major relief agencies.
Alternatively, Article 25 has launched its own urgent appeal for donations.
RIBA is working with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help identify Nepalese nationals or others with relevant local or regional experience to provide technical expertise.
The IFRC has already deployed approximately 100 people to support the Nepal Red Cross in search and rescue efforts, emergency health, water and sanitation, relief, shelter and interagency coordination as well as support services such as telecoms and logistics.
Given the operational constraints in the country, most agencies are wary of overloading country teams at this stage. However, the IFRC anticipates there will be a need for additional technical expertise in due course.
RIBA members or practices with the necessary expertise and experience to help – particularly those who would be fully funded or self-resourced – are encouraged to register their interest with RIBA Head of International, Marcus Deeley.
Ends
Notes to editors:
1. For further press information: Melanie Mayfield, RIBA Press Office: melanie.mayfield@riba.org 020 7307 3662
2. RIBA’s International Task Group led by RIBA International Vice President Peter Oborn set out a detailed plan for RIBA’s role in engaging with international communities facing natural disaster, civil conflict and human rights violations. The full report: http://www.architecture.com/RIBA/Aboutus/Whoweare/RIBACouncil/InternationalTaskGroupreport.aspx
3. RIBA is hosting Designing City Resilience 2015, a two-day Summit on disaster prevention and resilience in June 2015. The Summit is supported by the Commonwealth Secretary General, the Government Office for Science and the Rockefeller Foundation. www.designingcityresilience.com
4. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members www.architecture.com
5. Follow us on Twitter for regular RIBA updates www.twitter.com/RIBA
Posted on Tuesday 28th April 2015
