"It's very hard for people outside of the city to get help."
Roman Shrestha
The death toll from the earthquake that rocked Nepal over the weekend has surpassed 5,000 people. The quake and its aftershocks toppled homes and historical buildings, and caused a deadly avalanche at Mount Everest that killed at least 18 climbers.
The natural disaster hit close to home for members of Connecticut's Nepalese community. Arjun Dahal, treasurer of the Nepalese Association of Connecticut, said that his sister, brother-in-law, and their daughter were trapped under their home.
"Everybody around the area helped them out, and they came to the hospital. Right now they are in a better situation," Dahal said on WNPR's Colin McEnroe Show. He said there is still limited Internet and phone access in Nepal.
UConn student Roman Shrestha has family in a remote village. "Most of the rescue efforts have been centralized just in the capital city," he said. "It's very hard for people outside of the city to get help, be rescued, get medicine, tents, and all those sort of things."
Members of Connecticut's Nepalese community held a vigil Sunday night in West Hartford to honor victims. The Nepalese Association of Connecticut is collecting donations for food, aid, and medication relief.
Connecticut-based relief organization Save the Children said basic necessities are the immediate need. Waterborne and infectious diseases are a risk because people are living outdoors in crowded, camp-like situations.
Listen below to The Colin McEnroe Show segment:
