Rescue personnel work on debris in Kathmandu, capitol of Nepal, April 28, 2015. Members of search-and-rescue teams from China, Indonesia and Nepal made efforts together for about 20 victims under the collapsed buildings here. (Xinhua/Qin Qing)
UNITED NATIONS, April 29 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Wednesday appealed 415 million U.S. dollars to support the Nepali government to provide vital relief to earthquake-affected people.
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told a daily briefing that the funds will go towards a joint action plan to address the most critical needs over the next three months in areas of shelter, water and sanitation, emergency health, food, and protection.
Haq said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday discussed with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala, via phone on work being done regarding search-and-rescue efforts and humanitarian aid, and Ban expressed UN's solidarity with the people of Nepal.
According to UN estimates, Up to 1.4 million people will benefit from food assistance, while some 2.1 million children and 525,000 women will benefit from protection assistance.
"Emergency shelter will be provided for 500,000 people who remain in the open," said Haq, adding that safe drinking water and sanitation facilities are urgently needed for up to 4.2 million people.
The magnitude-7.9 quake struck Nepal on Saturday. More than 5, 000 people have lost their lives and more than 10,000 people were injured in the earthquake and in the many aftershocks that followed.
Related:
Nepal's top government official praises China's support in rescue operation
KATHMANDU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- As China has intensified rescue operation and medical treatment in Nepal following two major earthquakes in Nepal on Sunday and Saturday, a senior government official has highly praised China's support in this great tragedy of the Himalayan nation.
Speaking at a recent press briefing in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, Chief Secretary of the Nepal government Leela Mani Paudyal said "The government of China was the first to send international medical teams and rescue teams to Nepal. China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) is considered as one of the world's best teams during such natural calamities and the rescue operation has been expedited after the CISAR team landed in Kathmandu." Full story
Thousands of quake victims in Nepal living outdoors could face epidemic outbreak
KATHMANDU, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Ramesh Subhash, 12, was playing football with a volley ball with his friends at the Tudikhel military parade ground which is now Nepal's biggest tent camp for the homeless from last week's deadly quake.
Hundreds of teenagers like him are now staying in makeshift tents with their families waiting for help from government and relief agencies, home and international. Full Story
