International Community Begins Rescue, Humanitarian Efforts In Nepal After 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Kills More Than 3,800

Agence France-Presse: Death toll rises to 3,800 in Nepal earthquake
“Nepalis started fleeing their devastated capital on Monday after an earthquake killed more than 3,800 people and toppled entire streets, as the United Nations prepared a “massive” aid operation…” (Mathema/Bagga, 4/27).

Associated Press/Huffington Post: Almost One Million Children In ‘Urgent Need’ Of Aid After Nepal Earthquake
“There is still time to save lives — that’s why governments and aid agencies Sunday rushed doctors, volunteers, and equipment to Nepal without waiting for the dust to settle. U.N. spokeswoman Orla Fagan, who is heading to Nepal, said preventing the spread of disease is one of the most important tasks facing aid workers who are arriving…” (Katz, 4/27).

Economic Times: Nepal Earthquake: Health Ministry rushes doctors, medicines to quake-hit country
“[India’s] health ministry said on Sunday that it has rushed medicines and a team of doctors to Nepal after the Himalayan country suffered a devastating earthquake on Saturday which has left over [3,800] dead so far…” (4/27).

New York Times: Villages Near Nepal Earthquake’s Epicenter Are Desperate as Death Toll Tops 3,800
“Residents of remote mountain villages at the epicenter of Nepal’s powerful earthquake said on Monday that they were running out of food, and that two days after the quake they had seen no sign of outside assistance…” (Fuller, 4/27).

New York Times: Earthquake Aftershocks Jolt Nepal as Death Toll Rises Above 3,400
“…By Monday afternoon, Nepalese authorities had sharply raised the death toll to more than 3,400, but the full extent of the devastation and death was still unclear. It was that uncertainty, over what the earthquake had wrought and what the future might hold, that spread fear and anxiety across Nepal…” (Fuller/Buckley, 4/26).

New York Times: Nepal Earthquake Poses Challenge to International Aid Agencies
“…In the aftermath of the disaster, which has killed more than 3,200 people, injured about 5,900, and left many more homeless, development workers said that continued aftershocks, a crippled transportation network, and the loss of power in parts of the country had made it tough to search for survivors and distribute much-needed supplies…” (Scott, 4/26).

Reuters: U.S. sending disaster team, initial $1 million to Nepal: Kerry
“The United States will send disaster response and rescue teams to Nepal and has authorized an initial $1 million in aid after a major earthquake killed hundreds in the mountainous Asian nation, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday…” (Lamber, 4/25).

U.N. News Centre: U.N. responds to destruction, displacement in wake of Nepal earthquake
“…[Under-Secretary-General of Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos,] said U.N. agencies were working with humanitarian partners in Nepal, supporting the government and other partners. The World Food Programme (WFP) was providing food items, the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was sending tents and health care supplies, and the World Health Organization (WHO) had distributed medical supplies to cover the immediate needs of 40,000 people…” (4/26).

Wall Street Journal: Nepal Earthquake: India and China Send Rescue Teams to Himalayan Nation
“India and China rushed rescue teams and other assistance to earthquake-hit Nepal, a strategically important neighbor for the two Asian giants, which are jostling for influence in the Himalayan nation…” (Mandhana/Hutzler, 4/26).

Washington Post: Death toll rises to 3,800 in Nepal earthquake
“With international aid beginning to flow but desperation still rising, rescue crews in Nepal expanded helicopter searches Monday into remote villages believed to be the worst hit from a massive earthquake that’s already claimed more than 3,800 lives. The flights deep into the Himalayan valleys highlighted worries that the death toll could still rise from Saturday’s 7.8 magnitude quake that flattened densely populated areas near Kathmandu, toppled centuries-old monuments, and buried Everest base camp with a deadly avalanche of snow and jagged ice…” (Lakshmi/Gowen, 4/27).

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