UN chief sends Nepal his condolences
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The United Nations Secretary-General has sent his deepest condolences to the government of Nepal and to everyone affected by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the country on Saturday.
“It is clear that very many lives have been lost,” said Ban Ki-moon in a statement released on Saturday.
“There has also been significant damage to Nepal's irreplaceable cultural heritage.
“On behalf of the United Nations, I thank the first responders in all the affected countries who are working around the clock to save lives,” said Ban. “The United Nations is supporting the Government of Nepal in coordinating international search and rescue operations and is preparing to mount a major relief effort.”
Nepal has requested international assistance in the response to the disaster, with particular importance placed on the need search and rescue capacity, medical teams, supplies and tenting for hospitals, heavy equipment for rubble removal and helicopters for transport and access to blocked areas.
