How to help Nepal: 7 vetted charities doing relief work following the earthquake

As images of devastation and tragedy in Nepal and neighboring countries rattled by Saturday's earthquake pour across social media and TV, the natural question for many people is, "What can I do to help?"

 After disasters, the best way to help is generally to donate money to effective and efficient charities that have an established presence on the ground. Charity Navigator is one of the leading resources for evaluating the work of nonprofits, and the organization has posted a list of highly-ranked charities that have mounted relief operations in the aftermath of the 7.8 magnitude temblor that originated outside the capital, Kathmandu.

 More than 5,500 people have been confirmed dead and 11,000 injured, Nepalese officials reported Thursday. The UN says about 8 million people were affected and more than 70,000 houses destroyed.

 Here are seven nonprofits that say they will provide relief in Nepal and that have received either a three- or four-star rating (out of a possible four) from Charity Navigator.

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