UPDATE: A second large earthquake hit Nepal earlier today. The epicentre was in the North-East, near the border with Tibet, so Sindupalchowk will have been badly hit again. At least 100 people are estimated dead already. 

Helambu valley is a mountainous region about 70km NE of Kathmandu Valley, and has been hit hard by the earthquake. We don't know the full extent of the damage yet, but considerable damage has been done to the villages where many of us at CU HELP volunteered last year; many houses have collapsed and there has sadly been considerable loss of life. The roads to these villages are impassible at the best of times, so the aid that has reached Kathmandu is nowhere close to reaching these villages. Mondochallenge and HELP Nepal are out there currently, trying to assess the damage and come up with a plan of action. 

The main memories that the volunteers brought back from their stay in Helambu was the incredible warmth and kindness that they received from the village communities. We've all come back with such fond memories and lasting friendships with the people we met there. We want to do all we can to support the communities that mean so much to us all through this tragic loss;  the CU HELP Committee are donating all of the money we have raised so far this year to Mondo's relief effort, and we'd appreciate anything you can give to help Helambu to recover. 

CU HELP Nepal