In and Around Kathmandu, Almost a Million Children Are in Urgent Need of Help

We can't change the terrible experience these children have already lived through, but we must try to ensure that each and every one of the children affected are kept safe, and provided with the food, water and supplies they so desperately need.
|

I don't think anyone seeing the news could fail to be moved by the devastating situation in Nepal.

When I was filming the BBC documentary The Cold Chain I had the incredible opportunity to go with Unicef to Nepal following the path of a vaccine, travelling from India up to Kathmandu, driving west to Nepalgunj, taking a hair-raising flight to Talcha before finally hiking to the tiny village of Luma.

Open Image Modal

In Nepal, 2011

Almost four years have passed since I travelled to Nepal, but the memories of the children and families I met there have stayed with me. It is devastating to think that in and around Kathmandu almost a million children are in urgent need of help.

In the days following the earthquake, despite the snow and freezing temperature, families have been forced to sleep outside, scared to go indoors because of the damage to buildings and the threat of aftershocks. I spent one night sleeping in a tent in Luma, and even with a sleeping bag and countless layers it was not an experience I would want to repeat. But these families don't have a choice.

Open Image Modal

In Nepal, 2011

The earthquake has not only destroyed their homes and their schools, but left millions of children scared and in danger. They need shelter, food, water and medical supplies, and they also need support to deal with the traumatic events they have experienced.

Unicef is on the ground in Nepal, as it has been for over forty years, and is working tirelessly to reach every child affected by the earthquake. I know that the team on the ground will be doing absolutely everything in their power to help children and their families in danger.

Open Image Modal

Sayera, 20: "The most important thing to me is shelter. Our rental house totally collapsed."

We can't change the terrible experience these children have already lived through, but we must try to ensure that each and every one of the children affected are kept safe, and provided with the food, water and supplies they so desperately need.

I know that when disasters strike, Unicef will be on the ground, keeping children safe. But they cannot do it alone. That's why I'm urging the UK public to support Unicef UK's Nepal Earthquake Appeal. There millions of children in Nepal in need of our help.

By texting NEPAL to 70123 and donating £5 or visiting unicef.org.uk, you can help Unicef keep more children safe following this terrible disaster