Christopher Sharma

The latest toll is 7,350 dead; 15 thousand serious injuries; 150 thousand houses destroyed and 160 thousand with partial damage. Numerous temples of Kathmandu valley are now rubble. Devotees bring the idols of the gods to safety, breaking the traditional rituals. The government appeals to public not to plunder the destroyed places of worship.

After the appeal launched by the Apostolic Vicar, the charitable organizations of various denominations decide to unite - under the leadership of Caritas - for rescue operations. Protestant Bishop: “Our prayers are accompanied by aid, we need international support." Imam Kathmandu: "We are delighted to be guided by the Catholics in these operations."

In many areas far from the capital, no relief has arrived in seven days. “I have three children and a pregnant wife,” said Ram Bhujel, a survivor. “They all started crying from hunger. So, we decided to eat the meat of a dead buffalo." Epidemics are a real danger. The government admits the lack of resources. “The Lord saved me,” said one survivor, a convert to Christianity. “I shall dedicate my life to God, [. . .] and raise awareness [. . .] about His grace.”

The latest toll speaks of more than 5,500 dead; about 12 thousand wounded; 70 thousand houses destroyed and another 530 thousand damaged in 39 of the 75 districts of Nepal. For more than five-days men, women and children live outdoors in the rain. A man: "Only Christians have helped me, without bias, giving me a tent and blankets."

Mgr Paul Simick appeals for action, calling on Catholics to be responsible citizens and a role model for their fellow human beings. Meanwhile, thousands of people are stuck outdoors, fearing the outbreak of diseases. Broken sewers and water mains have contaminated drinking water. Looters are taking advantage of the situation to steal from abandoned houses.

The toll is of tens of thousands of displaced and at least 20 thousand completely destroyed buildings. Catholic schools open to provide shelter to survivors. Rains hamper rescue operations. "Incalculable" the economic damage to the tourism sector, the primary source of income for the country.

India, China, Great Britain, United States and France have already sent help. The death toll is rising. Remote areas remain largely inaccessible with communications cut off. Water and food are in short supply. On Mount Everest, at least 25 climbers have lost their lives.

The murderer of Fr. Thomas Ganfney had been hiding in India. The man had killed the priest to rob him. TheJesuit had founded the first center for social services in the nation, through which he helped the poor and needy.

There are fears that the contagion could spread across the country and cross over into China and India. Government inefficiency and lack of medicines. Medical staff refuses to work for fear of infection. The army and the Caritas in aid to the population.

Thirteen young Hindus and Buddhists were baptised on Easter night. Now they can “be witnesses of the resurrection of Christ." Their missionary commitment touches the whole community.

The poorest villages west of the country have been hit by a strange unidentified disease. Doctors so far have only been able to treat the symptoms of those infected. Dr. Pun: "We, doctors also fear contagion." The government is distributing medicines with helicopters. The affected areas are the most mountainous of the country.

The Nepalese police has compiled a list of six Indian and Nepalese suspects, seizing false passports, photographs of the victims and 900 thousand dollars in cash. The women came from the poorer classes. Inspector General tells AsiaNews: "They were chosen because cheaper and submissive".