Liverpool fundraises for Nepalese earthquake
A week after the Liverpool Unites for Nepal campaign was launched, sociologist and co-organiser, LJMU's Dr Sara Parker, has made a plea for people to get involved in much needed fundraising to help people caught up in the Nepalese earthquake.
The earthquake struck two weeks ago and has so far claimed the lives of nearly 8,000 people.
The University joined forces with the University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University, doctors from Aintree Hospital, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital, engineers from Mochel and Liverpool’s Nepalese community to develop a series of fundraising activities and spiritual events for the Liverpool Unites for Nepal Earthquake Relief Appeal. The appeal has so far raised over £2,000 and events have taken place in both cathedrals, at the Liverpool Buddhist Centre and the Liverpool Fire Arts Festival.
Dr Parker, who teachers Sociology in the School of Humanities and Social Science, has spent much of her academic career researching the issue of gender inequality in education in Nepal, and has many close links with the country’s communities and educational institutions.
Sara’s research has led many of her undergraduate students visiting the country on field trips, international internships and study visits, which aim to engage LJMU students in a variety of projects linked to grassroots organisations working in the social sector in Nepal. Last year Indira Rana Magar, founder of Prisoner's Assistance Nepal, came to Liverpool to launch LJMU’s Centre for Crime Criminalisation and Social Exclusion (CCSE) Seminar series talking about her work with the organisation which looks after children of criminals who live in jail with their parents.
Dr Parker commented:
"We have been overwhelmed by the response to the recent disaster and I am collating evidence of all the local work being done in Nepal in the wake of this tragedy. It is important that funds and assistance gets to Nepal as a matter of urgency before the monsoon starts in late May and that long term responses are also developed."
In order to raise awareness of the needs of the people of Nepal, Dr Parker is organising an event as part of Liverpool Light Night 2015 with the support of Liverpool Unites for Nepal.
‘Unite for Nepal’ will be an interactive light installation inspired by Alex Irving’s labyrinth, and visitors will be invited to light a tea light, place it on the map of Nepal and make a donation to the relief appeal.
Liverpool Unites for Nepal is raising funds for Help Nepal and will monitor the use of the funds to ensure that they have an impact where they are needed the most.
To find out more about events that are being planned please visit the group’s Facebook page and follow the campaign on Twitter @unitefornepal.