The people of Nepal  have been devastated by a massive earth quake and aftershocks. Over 6,000 are currently known to have died and over 15,000 injured. The final death toll may reach an estimated 15,000, once the full extent of this catastrophe have been established.

The lives of the people of  have been devastated, homes and building have been destroyed. Fearing more aftershocks people are surviving outdoors with little or no shelter or sanitation, with 600 aftershocks reported and 120 over 4.0 on the Richter scale. Food and water will soon run out. Many families have been torn apart - children orphaned, bread winners killed and many elderly Nepalese will now be without support from their children. Businesses have destroyed, even agricultural activities will have halted with livestock lost and terraced fields effected by avalanches and landslides.

Many of us have visited and have experienced the hospitality, warmth and generosity  of the Nepalese people and we feel it is now time for us to try and repay that kindness.

is one of the poorest countries in the world and requires outside help to try and rebuild its shattered communities. Foreign Governments and agencies equipped for disaster relief and management (such as the Red Cross, Oxfam, etc.) are best placed to handle the immediate relief, rescue and help in . This, however, is short term help. The role of Community Action (CAN) will be for the long term support, rebuilding and helping with the rehabilitation of remote mountain communities. It is able to do this because of it's tried and tested ways developed over 20 years of 'getting things done' in Nepal. CAN's have an office in CAN ensures that all donations go out to the project areas without any deduction. All administration costs in the UK and in Nepal, are covered separately from sales and auctions at lectures and events held in the UK. CAN was set up by the mountainers Doug Scott CBE and Sir Chris Bonnington - who are the Operations Director and Patron of CAN respectively.

CAN is in the process of assessing the damage to CAN schools, Health Posts, Porter Rescue Shelters and community buildings. CAN is also making provision to cover the immediate needs of those in the communities where they operate.

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