A series of devastating earthquakes have struck Nepal over the weekend, causing loss of more than 7000 lives. The initial 7.8 magnitude quake, along with aftershocks as high as 6.7 magnitude, caused destruction and severe damage to the historic centre of Kathmandu and other heritage sites throughout the Kathmandu Valley. Quake-related damage has been reported throughout the region.

 

 

ICCROM project specialist Aparna Tandon, Rohit Jigyasu of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness – ICORP, and other partners have started the Kathmandu Cultural Emergency Crowdmap, which aims to collect information on the damage caused to cultural heritage sites and institutions in Nepal.

If you are in the area or are in contact with someone who is, use ‪#‎heritagedamagenepal‬ and ‪#‎culturedamagenepal‬ to tweet pictures of earthquake affected cultural heritage of Nepal from your mobile. This may include temples, traditional houses, sculptures, sacred objects, etc. If possible indicate their location, either in the text of the tweet or by tagging location. Reports will be made based on your feedback and preparations will be undertaken to salvage heritage even from rubble after the human search and rescue operation is over. The tweet feedback is linked to kathmanduculturalemergency.crowdmap.com

Other sites are also being created and communicated on Twitter and other platforms:

Together we will work to restore rich Nepalese cultural heritage. Our hearts go out to all the victims of the quake.

Other ways you can help:

Media reports: