Making an Impact: The Relief Efforts in Nepal

By Joe Speicher, Executive Director, Autodesk Foundation

The devastation in Kathmandu this month has been truly heartbreaking. The loss of life and destruction to homes and infrastructure is unimaginable. Yet, despite the tragedy, there's a powerful sense of hope and unity emerging from around the world. The U.S. government has pledged $10 million in aid, telecom companies are offering free calls for those in Nepal, and the U.S. Air Force has deployed over 100 troops, including specialized urban search-and-rescue teams, to support relief efforts.

Charitable organizations, including the Autodesk Foundation, are stepping up in every way possible. Technology companies are leveraging their unique strengths to make a real difference. Google and Facebook are using their global platforms to help locate people and confirm their safety. PayPal, with its vast user base of over 150 million, is helping facilitate donations and cover costs through its platform.

We believe that design and the built environment have a critical role to play in rebuilding Kathmandu. That’s why we focus our support on organizations that align with our mission—those who understand that thoughtful, resilient design can save lives and create lasting change.

The Design Opportunity

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Once emergency supplies are delivered, temporary shelters are set up, and debris is cleared, the real challenge begins—rebuilding the city’s infrastructure, homes, and businesses to return to normal. Too often, this phase of recovery is neglected or poorly managed. But some of our partners have been working in this space for years, bringing much-needed expertise and experience.

One such organization is Build Change, a nonprofit partner of the Autodesk Foundation with over a decade of experience in post-disaster reconstruction. They work directly with local governments to develop and enforce safe building codes, and then train local contractors to build structures that are both affordable and resilient. A day after the earthquake, they launched a dedicated response team in Nepal. We strongly encourage anyone who believes in the power of good design to support their efforts.

How You Can Help

People everywhere are asking how they can contribute meaningfully. Here are a few ways you can get involved and make a real impact:

  1. Donate to Build Change – This is one of the most effective ways to support long-term, sustainable rebuilding in Nepal.
  2. Support the Creative Market Community – For the entire month of May, nearly 500 shops on Creative Market are donating up to 100% of their earnings to Nepal relief. With support from the Autodesk Foundation, Creative Market will match the first $20,000 in donations. All funds go to All Hands, a nonprofit focused on both immediate and long-term disaster recovery. Visit Creative Market’s blog for more details.
  3. Share Images from the Pixlr Challenge – Through the Autodesk Foundation’s support, Pixlr is donating $20,000 to Build Change. Additionally, the weekly challenge in early May was dedicated to Nepal, encouraging users to share photos with the theme “Message for Nepal.” Learn more about the challenge on the Pixlr blog.

Autodesk is deeply committed to supporting Nepal’s recovery. From our partnerships with organizations like Build Change to our employees who are actively volunteering and fundraising, we’re doing everything we can to help. Our goal is not just to rebuild—it’s to build better, safer, and more resilient communities for future generations.

Natural disasters will continue to shape our world. But by working together, we can ensure that the places we rebuild are stronger, smarter, and more prepared for what comes next. It’s not just about recovery—it’s about creating a safer future for everyone.

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