Facebook users did way more than just “like” inspiring stories coming out of Nepal after it was struck by a magnitude-7.8 earthquake.
In a matter of a week, more than 750,000 Facebook users worldwide gave over $15 million through the platform’s donation button, Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a post on Friday.
“I want to thank everyone in our community for coming together to support those affected by the Nepal earthquake,” Zuckerberg wrote in a statement that was accompanied by a video about the company’s efforts.
I want to thank everyone in our community for coming together to support those affected by the Nepal earthquake. More than 750,000 people from around the world gave over $15 million to the International Medical Corps relief efforts, and Facebook donated an additional $2 million on top of that to local recovery efforts. Here’s a short video explaining how your donations are helping survivors. There’s a lot more that needs to be done to help Nepal rebuild, but our community is already making a big difference. Thank you for coming together to give people a lifeline when they need it most.
Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Friday, May 8, 2015
The April 25 earthquake has claimed more than 8,000 lives, according to Nepal's National Emergency Operation Center. But the magnitude of the damage is still unknown, considering the number of rural villages that are entirely cut off from receiving aid.
To help people in need, Facebook partnered with International Medical Corps (IMC) and launched a donate button on the social networking site. Facebook announced it would match every dollar donated to the relief organization through the site –- up to $2 million.
IMC has been dispatching mobile medical units to provide emergency care and critical supplies, including medicine, hygiene kits, shelter materials, blankets and water purification supplies.
On top of the users’ donations, Zuckerberg said Facebook gave an additional $2 million to local relief efforts.
“There’s a lot more that needs to be done to help Nepal rebuild, but our community is already making a big difference,” Zuckerberg said in a statement. “Thank you for coming together to give people a lifeline when they need it most.”
The button below indicates how much has been raised on Crowdrise's "Nepal Earthquake Relief" page. Click to visit the site and donate.
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