“As a token of solidarity with the people of Nepal, I have asked the Dalai Lama Trust to make a donation towards rescue and relief efforts.”

More than 1,500 people have been reported dead after a huge 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal and the surrounding region. Nepal’s deputy prime minister, Bamdev Gautam, has declared a state of emergency and appealed for humanitarian assistance across the region. The city’s main hospital is overwhelmed by casualties and residents are facing a night on the streets with nowhere to go.

Expressing great sadness about reports of the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal yesterday with the loss of many lives and widespread damage to property, His Holiness the Dalai Lama wrote to the Nepalese Prime Minister, Sushil Koirala.

“The people of Nepal and Tibetans have been neighbours throughout history and many Tibetan refugees live in Nepal. I offer my condolences to you and to those who have lost members of their families, friends and their homes in this tragedy.”

Please consider donating to help with the Nepal Earthquake Response. 

Read more about the earthquake and the emergency response via the following links:

BBC: Fears for Nepal’s ‘invisible’ Tibetan refugees
Guardian: Live Blog