Secretary-General, Sending Condolences to Earthquake-Shattered Nepal, Says United Nations Preparing ‘Major Relief Effort’

The following statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was issued today:

Our thoughts are with the people of Nepal and neighbouring countries today in the aftermath of the earthquake that has struck the Kathmandu Valley.

The reports of the devastation are still coming in and the numbers of people killed, injured and affected by this earthquake continue to rise.  It is clear that very many lives have been lost.  There has also been significant damage to Nepal’s irreplaceable cultural heritage.

On behalf of the United Nations, I send my deepest condolences to the Government of Nepal and to everyone affected, particularly to the families and friends of those killed and injured.  I thank the first responders in all the affected countries who are working around the clock to save lives.

The United Nations is supporting the Government of Nepal in coordinating international search-and-rescue operations and is preparing to mount a major relief effort.