Nepal quake survivors clash with riot police as UN calls for £270m aid package

Desperate survivors of an earthquake that killed more than 5,000 people have clashed with riot police in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, as the United Nations appealed for £270m for the devastated Himalayan nation. Desperate 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 materialise, 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 despair in devastated rural areas. People have been pleading to be airlifted out whenever a helicopter reaches their village 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 £3.3bn.

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