On April 25th, a devastating earthquake occurred in Nepal. The earthquake was a magnitude 7.8 on the Richter scale. The disaster has caused more than 7000 injuries according to Nepalese officials and the deaths of over 4000 people in Nepal, India, and China. Rescue workers have had to dig through piles of rubble and have set up makeshift operating places to perform surgeries. The supply shortages, difficulties getting around, and the power blackouts have resulted in many problems for the relief efforts.

The World Health Organization and the European Union and the countries of Australia, Britain, Canada, China, France, India, Israel, Italy, Norway, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States are sending aid to Nepal to help with the relief efforts. Civilians in Nepal’s capital city Kathmandu have slept in tents in the open fearing the vicious aftershocks will still do damage.

While Kathmandu has suffered a great deal of destruction, there is much worry about the remote villages near the epicenter of the quake. There are reports that entire villages have been wiped out by the quake or landslides that came following it. Rescue workers continue to provide aid for the victims of the earthquake and remain scouring through the rubble.