Disaster Response for Nepal

Our hearts are with the people and communities affected by the August 26 flood disaster in Nepal and Tibet, and the families who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. Global Links is communicating with local and international partners to understand the needs and who is providing which support after the search and rescue phase. We will keep you informed about any next steps and how you can help.

Tragically, we lost a member of our extended work family in the disastrous flooding and mudslides. Dr. Mark Cantrell was a public health expert, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and USAID diplomat and champion for community health, partnership development, and universal health for vulnerable populations.

Mark came to learn of Global Links when his wife, Karina Zelaya, joined our staff to strengthen our programs in Central and South America and during his doctoral studies in nursing and health systems management at the University of Pittsburgh in 2012. In the years since, we had the opportunity to work with him in Nicaragua on maternal health projects as well as when he returned to Pittsburgh as the Director of Public Health at Duquesne University. He was scheduled to return to Bolivia for a new post where we would have had the chance to collaborate again. We will add an update soon on how you can help honor Mark’s lifelong work to improve health for communities in need.