Nepal–In the wake of a 7.8 earthquake devastating Nepal on April 25, several industry organizations have stepped in to help with supplies, food and money to aid in the relief effort. At least 7,250 were killed in the disaster, 14,122 were injured, and thousands more are without basic living essentials.

NBTY, Inc., a manufacturer of vitamins and nutritional supplements, will be donating more than $500,000 worth of Nature’s Bounty vitamins and supplements and nutrition bars from Balance Bar. A monetary contribution was made by the company to aid in the relief effort as well, according to the company.

“As a global leader in the wellness industry, we at NBTY recognize our compelling corporate responsibility to do whatever we can to help alleviate some of the suffering being experienced by the people impacted by this horrific event,” said Andrea Staub, vice president of communications and corporate social responsibility at NBTY. “We wish the people of Nepal solace and strength as they begin the enormous task of rebuilding their lives and their country.”

All of the donations made by NBTY were made through the Feed The Children, an organization that “exists to end childhood hunger,” according to the company’s website, by working with other companies.

“Feed the Children, on behalf of our local disaster response partners around the world, is grateful for the generous support of long-time donor NBTY,” said Matt Panos, chief development officer of Feed the Children. “Their commitment to donate both gifts-in-kind and cash will provide much-needed relief and aid in the nutritional health & well-being of those impacted by disasters.”

DSM says it has donated $50,000 to the relief effort. and will match donations made to the World Food Programme, through this link, up to $50,000.

Another contributor to the relief effort in Nepal has been the non-profit organization Vitamin Angels, which responded to requests from their partners for additional relief. Vitamin Angels’ partners Global Nutrition Empowerment (GNE), Project for a Village, Inc., and Aatmiya are all “safe and accounted for” in Nepal, according to the company’s Facebook page.

The companies in Nepal requested “the need for additional micronutrient supplement grants to expand their reach to affected communities, according to a press release.” Vitamin Angels responded by increasing the number of vitamins being sent to Nepal and “will work to rebuild nutritional security in Nepal” once the crisis has been addressed.

“The importance of proper nutrition in the aftermath of disaster is vital to maintaining good health when those already at risk of undernutrition are faced with even greater challenges in obtaining food and clean water, as well as increased exposure to illness,” said Howard Schiffer, president and founder of Vitamin Angels.To donate to relief effort in Nepal, please visit any of the links below:
https://donate.feedthechildren.org/donation/35ebcbec/
www.vitaminangels.org

Published in WholeFoods Magazine June 2015, online 5/4/15