Rescue efforts continue in Nepal, though officials believe the chances of finding people alive are now slim after a catastrophic earthquake struck the nation last Saturday (April 25). According to Christian Today, the death toll surpassed 6,200 on Friday (May 1).
Search and rescue teams are now faced with the problem of how to dispose of the bodies, as morgues are full beyond capacity. Authorities have instructed rescue workers to cremate bodies as they as found.
At the same time, officials have begun calculating the financial cost of the earthquake. The United Nations reported that over 600,000 homes were destroyed or damaged and 8 million people were affected by the natural disaster.
Finance Minsiter Ram Sharan Mahat estimated to $2 billion would be needed to rebuild the homes and other buildings that were destroyed.
"This is just an initial estimate and it will take time to assess the extent of damage and calculate the cost of rebuilding," Mahat told Reuters.
Home ministry official Laxmi Prasad Dhakal called the extent of damage “unprecedented.”
"We have still not even been able to assess the damage in remote areas, which have been completely devastated,” he said.
To contribute to Nepal earthquake relief efforts, follow this link.
Publication date: May 1, 2015
