Nepal earthquake prompts aid from Edmonton ex-pats

While the desperate search for survivors continued in the wake of a devastating earthquake in Nepal, ex-pats in Edmonton are looking for a way to help their familiesand friends back home.

Thousands of people are still sleeping in the streets or housed in makeshift tents after the 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Saturday, killing at least 2,500. Search efforts continue, made more difficult by aftershocks, landslides and avalanches caused by the quake.

Kusumakar Sharma learned about the damage early Saturday morning. Although he moved to Edmonton from Nepal years ago, both his brother and his wife's family still live in the country.

He immediatelytried to contact them but could not get through. His family, like many others in Kathmandu, were afraid to re-enter their homes in the event of another quake.

"There were ringing phones, but no one to pick up," he said.

"Everyone was trying to reach their relatives all night."

When he finally did connect with his family, he was relieved. But he soon "got goosebumps" when he learned the extent of the damage: several buildings in the capital had collapsed -- including the Dharahara Tower, a world heritage site built in the 1800s.

"The big tower had crumbled to pieces and the old heritage buildings were gone."

'We had to do something'

As the president of the Nepalese-Canadian Society of Edmonton, Sharma felt he had to act. He sent an emergency text to the rest of the group's members, calling an emergency meeting.

"We had to do something," Sharma said.

The group immediately decided to donate $5,000 towards the relief efforts. A second fundraising effort on Sunday morning by Nepalese university students netted another $2,000.

Sharma said they are now looking for the best organization to help them get the money to those most in need.

At the moment, the most pressing needs seem to be the most basic. Sameer Kunwar, who also lives in Edmonton, said his relatives in Nepal are running out of food and water.

His parents, who live in the Kavre region outside of Kathmandu, still have not returned to their homes out of fear of more aftershocks.

Despite his relief at hearing they, along with his sister's family, survived the initial quake, Kunwar said they now have to deal with finding a new home.

"When you see your property falling down before your eyes .. they spent all their income (on it)," he said.

Kunwar is now focusing on helping raise money for the relief effort. Having moved away from Nepal for political reasons, the quake has ignited a new dedication to his former home.

"When things happen like that, you feel something in your heart," he said.

"We have to work together. A problem comes to our life, everybody loses something. But if you work together, you can do something.