URGENT UPDATE: Reaching children in Nepal

I wrote to you yesterday, appealing for your help  in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Nepal.

“Near the city I saw an open van rushing towards the hospital. At the back of it, rolling with the twists and bumps of the road was the body of what must have been a very young girl. Face down all covered in dust. Black jeans covered with dust. Hair tangled with dust. That made me realize the enormity of the impact to everyone's lives here. I feel pain for all the families here. Lives snuffed out in a minute." -Rupa Joshi, UNICEF Nepal Communication Officer I wrote to you yesterday, appealing for your help in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Nepal. Many of you have already made donations to support our efforts – thank you. As information slowly starts to come in, we are getting a clearer picture of the devastation on the ground – and it’s a grim picture. The destruction is widespread: at least 40% of the country is affected. It is now estimated that more than 2,500 people have lost their lives and Nepalese authorities expect that the death toll will continue to rise. Thousands more are injured and many more are still unaccounted for. With homes demolished or unsafe, children and their families are forced to sleep outside in the cold. These children desperately need our help. Water is now scarce and stocks of medical supplies are dwindling. UNICEF has pre-positioned critical supplies in the area; now we’re working to deliver them to the people who need them most. That’s where our supporters come in. If you’ve already made a donation, I offer my heartfelt thanks. If you have not yet done so, please consider making an emergency gift today. Your contribution of any amount will make a difference in helping us respond to the immediate needs of the people of Nepal. We will continue to keep you informed about UNICEF’s response in the coming days and weeks. For all that you do for children, I thank you. Sincerely, David Morley President & CEO, UNICEF Canada