The earthquake heard around the world occurred on April 25, 2015 less than 5o miles from Kathmandu with a 7.8 magnitude. This catastrophe has caused the relocation, loss, day to day struggles of the Nepalese. Families had to pick up any distinct remains from the rubble that once was their homes, rescuers had to look through the debris to find any survivors or bodies, and a number of historic buildings were completely leveled.

The most devastating part? The disaster is still continuing. While many may be at peace assuming it was just one tremendous earthquake and Nepal received millions of dollars in relief, the situation has actually worsened.

Following the widely known 7.8 earthquake centered in Baratpur, Nepal earthquakes of magnitudes ranging from 4.2 to 6.6 occurred the same day, in areas all over Nepal, including the Nepalese cities of Banepa, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Kiritpur. The day right after, Nepal experienced earthquakes of magnitudes ranging from 4.2 to 5.3 in 4 different cities. On the day after that, April 27th, Nepal experienced 7 separate earthquakes of magnitudes ranging from 3.9 to 5.1 before receiving a day of complete peace on April 28th. In the 20 days following that, Nepal experienced 37 distinct earthquakes of magnitudes as high as 7.3 and 6.3. As of May 18th, Nepal has experienced 5 separate earthquakes. To put it all in perspective, in the past month 119 earthquakes have devastated the lands of Nepal with the greatest earthquake clocking in at a magnitude of 7.8. As for earthquakes near Yorba Linda, there has been 39 earthquakes in the past month, with the greatest earthquake clocking in at a magnitude of 3.8.

However, there has been a bright light amidst all the chaos and calamities occurring in Nepal. The past month has witnessed a tremendous outpour of love and aid to those in Nepal. While the death toll has risen to now over 3,800 dead and 6,000 injured, Nepal’s international community has banded together to provide support for one of Asia’s poorest countries, which without aid from other countries would find it impossible to rebuild itself.

The international aid includes India which quickly dispatched officials and relief material within 15 minutes of the infamous earthquake, Australia which has allocated $5 million in humanitarian support to different organizations to provide relief, Canada which has donated $5 million towards the relief support, China which has promised to offer $3.3 million in tents, blankets, and generators, Pakistan which has sent hundreds of meals, bed hospitals, blankets, and tents, the US which has donated $1 million on the day of the 7.8 earthquake, and many other efforts from other countries.

Fortunately, our Mustangs are aware that Nepal still needs help. When asked for her opinion on the tragedies in Nepal, Deborah You (11) expressed, “When I first heard about the devastation in Nepal, I was horrified. I felt so bad and wanted to do something to help them and their country because…[they]  need as much support as possible. I am praying for their safety and for their country to be built back together again! God bless Nepal!” If you believe the same as Deborah and would like to aid Nepal, come on out to the speech contest on June 4th in the Forum at 6:30PM where YLHS Red Cross will be graciously accepting donations for Nepal. For more information or other ways to help Nepal, check out the article titled “3rd Annual “I Have a Dream” Speech Contest!”

All research credited to NYTimes.com, tehelka.com, and earthquaketracker.com.