Approximately 850,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed by the 25 April and 12 May quakes in Nepal. More than 225,000 people are currently sheltering under Red Cross tents and tarpaulins.

The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is urging donors to step in to provide life-saving support as monsoon season draws closer.

“Every day we are bringing in to the country supplies of tents and tarpaulins which are being sent to the hardest hit areas but it is simply not enough,” said Martin Faller, the head of IFRC in Nepal.

“The longer people are forced to live in poor, insanitary conditions among the rubble of their former homes, the greater the risk of disease outbreaks. Cholera is a potential threat in these situations and we are scaling up our prevention efforts.”

By donating to the New Zealand Red Cross Nepal Earthquake appeal, you can help people in need, such as father-of-one Mandbadur Nepali.

Nepali smashed both of his heels when he jumped down a flight of stairs in a desperate bid to escape a crumbling three-storey building when the second quake hit Chautara in Sindhupalchok.

The 33-year-old was treated at the nearby Red Cross field hospital where both his legs are now in casts. He faces a long and painful road to rehabilitation but it’s what happens when he’s discharged that is his biggest worry.

“What will I do when I get out of here? My home was damaged in the first quake – now it’s totally gone.“Soon the monsoon will come and I don’t know how I am going to protect my family from that.”

The Nepal Red Cross is working across 14 of the worst-hit districts with specialist teams operating across remote areas and more than 6,500 volunteers. Red Cross teams are also providing safe drinking water to thousands of people every day.

Accessing remote and mountainous areas is still a major challenge in Nepal. Red Cross is working with partner agencies to recruit and train thousands of Sherpas who will be able to hike to the hardest to reach areas with emergency supplies.

IFRC is asking for $93 million to support 700,000 people. IFRC work with national Red Cross societies following disasters to coordinate Red Cross’ response. IFRC’s main focus is on shelter, health, clean water and sanitation and emergency relief.

You can support people in need in Nepal by donating to New Zealand Red Cross’ Nepal Earthquake appeal.

Ways to give

On the website at www.redcross.org.nz/donate

At any Red Cross office or shop

Donations may be made by cheque, payable to "New Zealand Red Cross" and posted to New Zealand Red Cross – Supporter Services, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144. Please include your name and address so we can send you a receipt.

Call 0800 RED CROSS

Text Help to 4741 to make a $3 donation

Direct Bank transfer:

Bank account: 12-3192-0015998-00

Particulars: First name and surname OR initials and surname if there is not enough space OR Organisation name for groups/corporates

Reference: SP122

Code: Nepal

For direct bank transfer only: If you would like a receipt, please email fundraising@redcross.org.nz after making the donation and let us know the date and amount of the donation along with your name and postal address.

Note: sending cash is the best option to help those affected. Donations allow us, where possible, to buy the relief items required in the affected area. This benefits the local economy and allows us to take into account local tastes, traditions and cultures.

You can read more about why we need donations, not goods here.