Nepal earthquake death toll reaches to 5500

KATHMANDU: The relief agencies facing a formidable task to extend help to the people affected in 7.8 magnitude earthquake in mountainous Nepal.

The death toll in the deadly earthquake in Himalayan country has reached to 5500, while thousands said to be injured and hundreds of thousands stranded in the natural disaster.

According to the relief agencies half a million tents are urgently needed for the huge number of people forced from their homes by the earthquake.

The United Nations has launched a $415mln appeal for those affected by the earthquake, as frustration mounting over the pace of relief work.

The UN has announced to support the government efforts to provide emergency relief for the next three months.

There are reports of the people blocking trucks carrying relief supplies. The police reported to have clashes with people who trying to leave the capital Kathmandu.

The government of Nepal says it has been overwhelmed by the natural calamity.

According to the UN more than eight million people have been affected and some 70,000 houses have been destroyed in the country.

The aid is starting to get through, some people in remote areas closest to the epicentre of the quake are stranded without shelter, food or water. There are reports that the people have blocked roads at some places demanding relief.

Some helicopter crews who have managed to land in isolated communities have been faced with desperate villagers pleading to be airlifted to safety.

Relief work gears up

The first supplies of food aid began reaching remote mountain villages in Nepal, while thousands clamored to board buses out of Kathmandu, either to check on rural relatives or for fear of spending yet another night in the damaged capital.

Frustration over the slow delivery of humanitarian aid boiled over in a protest in the city, with about 200 people facing off with police and blocking traffic.

The protest was comparatively small and no demonstrators were detained. But it reflected growing anger over delayed relief days after the powerful earthquake that killed more than 5,500 people, injured twice that many and left tens of thousands homeless.