Secondary Navigation

The City of New York and Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City Collect Nearly $80,000 For Relief Effort to Support Victims of Earthquake in Nepal

June 18, 2015

NEW YORK— The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, and the Community Affairs Unit, today announced that the New York City Nepal Relief Effort has collected approximately $78,800 for victims of the tragic earthquake that struck the country and surrounding area on April 25.

The collected funds will be divided evenly between New York City-based Nepali community nonprofit organizations Adhikaar and The Gurung Society. Funds will be directed to areas of greatest need, such as securing food, clean water, shelter, and sanitation services for the millions of people who were injured, displaced or otherwise affected by the earthquake. The Mayor’s Fund received $50,000 in initial support for the New York City Nepal Relief Effort from the Association for a Better New York and the Rudin Family Foundations. Contributions from City employees accounted for over $13,000 of the total collected donations.

“New York City is home to the largest Nepalese community in the United States, so this tragedy hit very close to home for many New Yorkers. As millions in Nepal and Tibet struggle to put their lives back together after such a devastating and unexpected tragedy, I am proud that the people of this city were able to step up and lend a hand in the rebuilding effort,” said Mayor de Blasio.

“New Yorkers never fail to astound me with their charitable spirit, and these donations are yet another reminder of their boundless sensitivity,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray, Chair of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “I hope the funds raised by the Mayor’s Fund will provide some relief to these families as they work through a trying recovery process.”

“New Yorkers have once again stepped up to the plate to show compassion for others who are in need,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “Thanks to the generosity of residents across the five boroughs, additional shelter, food and medical supplies will be available to those impacted by the earthquake in Nepal. I applaud all New Yorkers who contributed to this effort by supporting the New York City Nepal Relief Effort.”

“This outpouring of generosity by New Yorkers to support Nepal in its time of need underscores yet again the tremendous value in our City’s local-to-global connections,” said Commissioner Penny Abeywardena, Mayor’s Office for International Affairs.

“The Nepalese community in New York City has been strong and resilient in the face of this natural disaster,” said Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. “It is truly wonderful to see the outpouring of support and the leadership of Adhikaar, The Gurung Society and other community organizations in ensuring that all of those affected and in need of humanitarian aid will receive this much needed relief.”

“We hope that the heartfelt donations from New Yorkers supporting Nepal will aid in the country’s recovery process,” said Marco Carrion, Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office Community Affairs Unit. “We will continue to work with the New York Nepalese community in their relief efforts.”

“These charitable donations for Nepal will help so many people in need,” said Council Member Mathieu Eugene. “As a Haitian immigrant who witnessed the generosity of New Yorkers after the tragic earthquake in Haiti in 2010, I am thrilled to see that the people of this great city are always there to help by providing the same crucial aid to the Nepalese community.”

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City

The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, chaired by First Lady Chirlane McCray, is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization that facilitates high-impact public-private partnerships throughout New York City’s five boroughs. The Fund leverages individual, philanthropic, and corporate partnerships to support public programs advancing key Mayoral and agency priorities. The Fund is focused on supporting public programs in areas including mental health, youth workforce development, immigration and citizenship, domestic violence, financial empowerment, and support for young men and women of color. To learn more about the Mayor’s Fund, visit nyc.gov/fund.

###

Media Contact

pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov
(212) 788-2958