Desperate Nepal quake survivors clash with riot police, U.N. seeks $415M

Desperate survivors of an earthquake that killed more than 5,000 people clashed with riot police in Nepal’s capital on Wednesday, as the United Nations appealed for $415 million for the devastated Himalayan nation. Anxious to leave, thousands of people gathered outside the main bus station after the government promised to lay on special services to far-flung rural areas. But when the buses failed to materialize, anger surged and scuffles broke out between the crowds and riot police.

Where are they? Our government is totally absent. Forget shelter, they couldn’t even give us water.

Rajana, an earthquake survivor

There was also desperation in devastated rural areas. People have been pleading to be airlifted out when the occasional helicopter has reached their villages with relief supplies. The United Nations estimates that 8 million people have been affected, with at least 2 million in need of tents, water, food and medicine over the next three months. The U.N. pleaded for millions more in aid, saying that around 70,000 houses had been destroyed and another 530,000 damaged. One estimate has put the cost of reconstruction at $5 billion.

Over 200,000 people are homeless. We’ve been told that materials are on their way, but we haven’t received them yet.

Chief District Officer Prem Lal Lamichhane

World Nepal