Nepal Earthquake 2015 News & Updates: Tragedy Stirs Massive International Rescue Efforts

One of the most devastating tragedies in recent history happened last Saturday when an intense 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook Nepal and neighboring areas, with its epicenter located 50 miles northwest of Kathmandu. Body count has reached over 4000 and UN said that over eight million people have already been affected by the disaster, as noted by BBC News.

Nepal and other surrounding areas are still experiencing aftershocks, and thousands have spent their nights outside, too afraid to move back in sheltered areas for fear of getting flattened by falling buildings should another strong quake occur. There is also a shortage of food, water, and electricity, and fear of disease outbreaks plague the citizens.

In more remote areas, the situation is critical. Local district official, Surya Mohan Adhikari, told AP that the situation has become very difficult. He said, "In the rural areas, 90% of the people have been affected by this calamity. They have lost their homes and livestock, they have no way of getting food."

He also added, "It is very difficult to reach them. They are cut off by landslides on the mountain roads, and the wind and rain is making it difficult for helicopters to land."

Sydney Morning Herald reported that the international airport in Kathmandu is open, but scheduled flights have been affected, with timing and frequency subject to capacity constraints.

The Nepalese government has requested for international aid, as the country is in dire need of important supplies like food and medicine. Chief Secretary Leea Mani Paudel said (via BBC), "We urge foreign countries to give us special relief materials and medical teams. We are really desperate for more foreign expertise to pull through this crisis."

CNN Money noted that a lot of help has already started to arrive for Nepal, with the United States committing to a total of $10 Million for response and recovery efforts, UK announcing $7.6 million for aid packages, Canada with $4.1 million for organizations to help with life-saving efforts, Norway with $3.9 million for relief efforts, Australia sent about $3.9 million as well as experts, among others.

For non-profit agencies, the American Red Cross gave an initial contribution of $300,000, Save the Children gave $454,000 in emergency aud, and Oxfam online donations reaching half a million pounds in Britain and over $1 million in the US.

Companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Toyota, Facebook, and Google, are making donations in kind, including food and water provisions, monetary aide, and even Safety Checks and Person Finders.

As for Nepal itself, The New York Times reported that about 90 percent of the Nepalese troops have been mobilized for disaster relief, but most of them have been concentrated in Katmandu as the army only had 12 operational helicopters when the earthquake happened. Since then, India has reportedly sent six more.