April 2015 Nepal earthquake facts for kids
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Damaged homes in Kathmandu after the April mainshock.
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| UTC time | 2015-04-25 06:11:25 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 607208674 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | 25 April 2015 |
| Local time | 11:56:25 NST |
| Duration | 50 seconds |
| Magnitude | Mw 7.8–7.9 Ms 8.1 |
| Depth | 8.2 km (5.1 mi) |
| Epicenter | 28°13′48″N 84°43′52″E / 28.230°N 84.731°E |
| Fault | Main Himalayan Thrust |
| Type | Thrust |
| Areas affected | |
| Total damage | $10 billion (about 50% of Nepal's nominal GDP at that time.) |
| Max. intensity | X (Extreme) |
| Peak acceleration | 0.25 g |
| Peak velocity | 108 cm/s |
| Landslides | 21 |
| Foreshocks | 7 |
| Aftershocks | 7.3 Mw on 12 May at 12:50 6.7 Mw on 26 April at 12:54 459 aftershocks of 4 Mw and above as of 24 May 2016 |
| Casualties | 8,962 dead in Nepal, 21,952 injured, 3.5 million homeless |
The April 2015 Nepal earthquake, also known as the Gorkha earthquake, was a very powerful natural disaster. It happened on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at 11:56 AM Nepal Standard Time. This earthquake caused the deaths of 8,962 people and injured 21,952 others. The shaking was felt across Nepal, India, China, and Bangladesh.
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 to 7.9, which means it was extremely strong. Its center, called the epicenter, was near Gorkha District, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) northwest of Kathmandu. The earthquake started deep underground, about 8.2 kilometers (5 miles) below the surface. This was the worst natural disaster to hit Nepal since 1934.
The shaking caused a huge avalanche on Mount Everest, where 22 people lost their lives. This was the deadliest event ever recorded on the mountain. Another large avalanche struck the Langtang valley, and 250 people were reported missing there.
Many Nepalese people lost their homes, and entire villages were destroyed. Historic buildings, some hundreds of years old, were damaged or collapsed. These included famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley, like parts of the Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Dharahara tower. Experts had warned for many years that Nepal was at risk of a major earthquake because of its unique geology and building styles.
After the main earthquake, many smaller quakes, called aftershocks, continued for days. One strong aftershock, with a magnitude of 6.7, hit on April 26. These aftershocks also increased the risk of landslides. A very strong aftershock, with a magnitude of 7.3, occurred on May 12, 2015. It caused more deaths and injuries, leaving even more people without homes.
Contents
Understanding the Earthquake
The main earthquake struck on April 25, 2015, at 11:56 AM Nepal Standard Time. It lasted for about 50 seconds. The earthquake was quite shallow, starting only about 8.2 kilometers (5 miles) underground. Shallow earthquakes often cause more damage. Its epicenter was about 34 kilometers (21 miles) southeast of Lamjung District, Nepal.
Scientists from different countries measured the earthquake's strength. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) first reported it as a 7.5 magnitude quake, then quickly updated it to 7.8. Other groups reported it as high as 8.1. After the main quake, over 38 aftershocks stronger than magnitude 4.5 happened in just one day. One of these was a powerful 6.8 magnitude aftershock.
How Earthquakes Happen in Nepal
The earthquake happened because of how the Earth's giant plates move. The Indian plate, which carries India, is slowly pushing and sliding underneath the Eurasian plate, which carries much of Europe and Asia. This movement creates a lot of pressure. When this pressure builds up too much and then suddenly releases, it causes an earthquake.
Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, sits on a block of land about 120 kilometers (74 miles) wide. During the earthquake, this block of land quickly shifted 3 meters (10 feet) to the south in just 30 seconds.
Experts had known for a long time that Nepal was at risk of a big earthquake. Scientists had calculated that enough energy had built up to cause a magnitude 8 earthquake. They couldn't say exactly when it would happen, but they knew it was possible. The last very large earthquake in this area was in 1934.
Nepal's Geology and Earthquake Effects
Nepal is located where the Indian plate crashes into the Eurasian plate. This collision created the mighty Himalayas. The plates in central Nepal move towards each other by about 45 millimeters (1.8 inches) each year. The earthquake happened because of a slip along a major fault line called the Main Frontal Thrust.
The effects of the earthquake were even stronger in Kathmandu. This is because Kathmandu sits in a basin, like a bowl, filled with up to 600 meters (2,000 feet) of soft sedimentary rocks. These soft layers can shake more intensely during an earthquake, making the damage worse.
Studies have shown that large earthquakes in eastern Nepal happen roughly every 750 to 870 years. The 1934 earthquake and the 2015 earthquake are thought to be connected, following a historical pattern of stress buildup and release.
Earthquake Shaking Intensity
The earthquake's shaking was extremely strong in some areas, reaching an intensity of X (Extreme) on the Mercalli Intensity scale. This scale describes how much people feel the shaking and how much damage it causes. In most of Kathmandu, the intensity was VIII-IX, meaning it caused severe to violent shaking and significant damage.
People felt tremors in many neighboring countries. These included Indian states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. Shaking was also felt in New Delhi and even as far south as Kochi. In Dhaka, Bangladesh, the intensity was IV (Light). The earthquake was also felt across southwest China, including the Tibet Autonomous Region, and even in Pakistan and Bhutan.
Aftershocks and Their Impact
Immediately after the main earthquake, a series of aftershocks began. These were smaller earthquakes that followed the main one, happening every 15 to 30 minutes. One aftershock reached a magnitude of 6.6 within 34 minutes of the first quake.
A significant aftershock, with a magnitude of 6.9, occurred on April 26, 2015. Its epicenter was about 17 kilometers (11 miles) south of Kodari, Nepal. This aftershock caused new avalanches on Mount Everest and was felt in many parts of northern India. It also triggered a landslide that blocked a section of the Koshi Highway.
By May 24, 2016, there had been 459 aftershocks with a magnitude of 4 or higher. Out of these, 51 were magnitude 5 or higher, and 5 were magnitude 6 or higher. There were also more than 20,000 smaller aftershocks.
The May 12, 2015 Earthquake
A second major earthquake, considered a large aftershock, happened on May 12, 2015, at 12:50 PM Nepal Standard Time. It had a magnitude of 7.3 and struck near the Chinese border, between Kathmandu and Mount Everest. This earthquake occurred along the same fault line as the April 25 quake but further to the east.
This aftershock caused more devastation. At least 153 people died in Nepal, and about 2,500 were injured. It also led to deaths in India, Bangladesh, and China.
Aftermath and Recovery Efforts
The earthquake had many lasting effects on Nepal, a country that was already facing challenges. One disaster often leads to others, creating a long chain of problems. The earthquake affected many aspects of life, including jobs, housing costs, mental health, and the healthcare system.
Sadly, some people tried to take advantage of the difficult situation, putting vulnerable individuals, especially women and children, at risk. Organizations worked to protect them and set up Safety Committees in temporary camps. These committees received funds for important needs like extra toilets and bathrooms.
A survey conducted about 30 months after the earthquake found that only a small portion of the money meant for rebuilding had been given out. People who didn't own land faced even greater difficulties in getting financial help.
Other Direct Effects
Some disasters that happened during the Monsoon season after the earthquake might have been related. For example, a landslide on June 11 killed 53 people. Also, a glacial lake burst in the Solukhumbhu district, which was already badly hit. Scientists are still studying if the earthquake contributed to these events.
| Country | Deaths | Injuries | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
 Nepal |
8,857 | 22,304 | |
 India |
78 | 560 | |
 China |
25 | 383 | |
 Bangladesh |
4 | 200 | |
| Total | 8,964 | 23,447 |
| Nationality | Deaths | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| India |
78 |
|
 France |
10 | |
 Spain |
7 | |
 United States |
7 | |
 Germany |
5 | |
| China |
4 | |
 Italy |
4 | |
 Canada |
2 | |
 Russia |
2 | |
(dual) Australia India |
1 | |
 Estonia |
1 | |
 Hong Kong |
1 | |
 Israel |
1 | |
 Japan |
1 | |
 Malaysia |
1 | |
 New Zealand |
1 | |
 United Kingdom |
1 | |
| Total | 127 |
Casualties from the Earthquake
The earthquake caused a tragic loss of life and many injuries across several countries.
Impact in Nepal
In Nepal, at least 8,857 people died, and nearly three times that number were injured. Many villagers were working outdoors when the quake hit, which may have saved some lives in rural areas. By May 15, 6,271 people were still getting medical help for their injuries. Almost 3.5 million people lost their homes, and about 2.6 million people had to move from their communities.
Impact in India
India reported 78 deaths. Most of these were in Bihar (58 deaths) and Uttar Pradesh (16 deaths). Three people died in West Bengal and one in Rajasthan.
Impact in China
In China, 27 people died, 383 were injured, and 4 were missing, all in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The earthquake destroyed 2,500 houses and damaged 24,700 others across 19 counties in Tibet. This affected nearly 300,000 people, with 47,500 having to leave their homes. Also, 82 temples were damaged.
Impact in Bangladesh
Four people died in Bangladesh, and 18 districts were affected. A six-story building partly collapsed, and two clothing factories tilted in Dhaka. Some people died while trying to escape buildings in a panic.
Avalanches on Mount Everest
The earthquake caused several avalanches on Mount Everest. At least 19 people died, and over 120 were injured or missing in these avalanches.
Landslides in the Langtang Valley
In the Langtang valley, located in Langtang National Park, 329 people were reported missing after an avalanche. This avalanche hit the villages of Ghodatabela and Langtang. The village of Langtang was completely destroyed. Smaller settlements nearby were also buried. Scientists believe that the earthquake caused widespread cracks in the ground, which will likely lead to more landslides in the Langtang Valley in the future.
Damage Caused by the Earthquake
Thousands of homes were destroyed across many parts of Nepal. Entire villages were flattened, especially those close to where the earthquake started.
The Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu had to close right after the earthquake. It later reopened for rescue flights and some commercial flights. However, it sometimes closed again due to aftershocks. On May 3, it was temporarily closed to the largest planes because of fears of runway damage. During strong aftershocks, the airport opened all exit doors to the tarmac, allowing people to move to open spaces for safety.
Many historic and religious buildings were severely damaged. Several churches in the Kathmandu valley were destroyed. Since Saturday is a main day for Christian worship in Nepal, about 500 people were reported to have died in these collapses.
Several temples in Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, collapsed. The famous Dharahara tower, built in 1832, also fell, killing at least 180 people. Other important sites like parts of the Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath, and Boudhanath Stupa were also damaged. In Patan and Bhaktapur, many ancient temples and monuments were destroyed or partly collapsed. Historians noted that many World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley were lost or severely damaged.
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Building damage as a result of the earthquake
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Damaged building in Balaju area
Economic Impact
There was concern that harvests would be smaller or lost that season. This was because people affected by the earthquake had little time to plant crops before the monsoon rains began.
Nepal is one of Asia's poorer countries. Its economy, measured by its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), was about $19.921 billion in 2012. This meant Nepal had limited resources to pay for a huge rebuilding effort on its own. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that the economic losses from the earthquake could be around $10 billion. This was about 50% of Nepal's total GDP at the time.
The Asian Development Bank quickly offered a $3 million grant for immediate relief. They also pledged up to $200 million for the first phase of rebuilding. Experts said that rebuilding Nepal's economy would need a lot of international help over several years.
Social Challenges After the Quake
The earthquake created many social challenges. Some groups, like single women, faced extra difficulties in getting help and support. There were also concerns about increased risks for women and children during this time.
The earthquake especially affected certain groups of people, such as the Tibeto-Burman communities. These groups often live higher up in the mountains and may have less access to education and resources. This made it harder for them to get help. A government survey found that malnutrition in children worsened significantly three months after the quake, particularly among the Tamang and Chepang communities.
Health Concerns
While a widespread cholera outbreak was feared but did not happen, other diseases were reported. For example, at least 13 people died from scrub typhus, and 240 people became ill with it between August 2015 and September 2016. Beyond physical illnesses, the earthquake also had a significant impact on people's mental and emotional well-being.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
Immediately after the earthquake, about 90% of the soldiers from the Nepalese Army were sent to the affected areas. This was part of a mission called Operation Sankat Mochan. Many volunteers from other parts of Nepal also joined the rescue efforts.
The rescue work was made difficult by rainfall and continuing aftershocks. These conditions also raised fears of more landslides and building collapses. Damaged roads and communication systems also made it hard for rescuers to reach people in need. Despite these challenges, some survivors were found up to a week after the earthquake.
International aid agencies like Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) and the Red Cross quickly began helping. They used helicopters to evacuate critically injured people from remote areas and set up mobile medical centers. There was a big concern about diseases spreading because of a lack of clean water, poor living conditions in temporary shelters, and not enough toilets.
Rescue workers used special devices that could detect heartbeats to find people trapped under rubble. This technology helped them save four men who were buried under up to ten feet of debris in the village of Chautara.
Volunteers also used "crisis mapping" to help plan emergency aid. Local groups like Kathmandu Living Labs worked with international organizations. Public volunteers from around the world helped by adding details to online maps. They used information from social media, satellite pictures, and drones to map passable roads, collapsed houses, and people who needed help. This information was crucial for guiding aid efforts.
India promised to donate $1 billion in cash and supplies to Nepal. This was part of Operation Maitri, a large rescue and relief effort by India's armed forces. Many other countries and organizations also provided aid, rescue teams, and helicopters.
However, there were some challenges with aid delivery. Reports mentioned some relief materials were not of good quality. Also, a United States Marine Corps helicopter crashed on May 12 while delivering supplies.
New technologies also played a role. An app called Getmii partnered with the Red Cross to help increase blood donations. Satellites and smartphones were also important for mapping damaged areas and sharing information with relief teams. Charities and crowdfunding platforms received over $230 million in donations, which helped provide medical supplies, rebuild buildings, and support victims.
Repair and Reconstruction Efforts
Restoring Historic Monuments
After the earthquake, UNESCO and Nepal's Ministry of Culture started working to strengthen damaged historic monuments. This was important to prevent further collapse, especially before the monsoon season. Plans were made to restore collapsed structures, including historic houses. Architectural drawings helped guide the rebuilding process.
More than 30 monuments in the Kathmandu Valley collapsed, and another 120 were partly damaged. The cost to restore 1,000 damaged monasteries, temples, historic houses, and shrines across the country was estimated at $160 million. Drones were used to fly over cultural heritage sites, creating 3D images of the damage to help plan repairs.
Nepal Rural Housing Reconstruction Program
In June 2015, an international conference was held in Kathmandu to raise money for rebuilding. A fund of $4.4 billion was created to help reconstruct homes in 14 affected districts of Nepal. This covered about 66% of the country's total rebuilding needs.
The program involved several steps: surveying the damage, identifying and checking affected homes, enrolling people in the program, and then supporting reconstruction and completion. Data for the program was collected digitally using tablets. This information was later made public to help with transparency and future planning.
International Aid and Support
Many countries and organizations pledged a total of $3 billion to help Nepal rebuild. UNICEF reported that nearly 1.7 million children were living outdoors and urgently needed drinking water, emotional support, temporary shelters, sanitation, and protection from diseases. UNICEF distributed water, tents, hygiene kits, and water purification tablets. Many other organizations also provided similar support.
India was one of the first countries to respond, launching Operation Maitri to provide rescue and relief. India also helped evacuate its own citizens and people from other countries. India became the largest aid donor to Nepal after the earthquake, providing $1 billion in support, along with many non-monetary supplies. China, the Asian Development Bank, and the United Kingdom also provided significant aid, rescue teams, and helicopters.
However, getting aid to Nepal and then to remote areas was challenging. Nepal has few helicopters, and its main airport faced congestion and runway issues. There were also concerns about the Nepalese government's rules for routing aid, which sometimes caused delays. Despite these difficulties, international efforts played a crucial role in helping Nepal recover.
| Aid agency / country | Cash donation (US $) | Humanitarian aid and supplies | Other aid | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies | $535,664.55 emergency fund activated | Volunteers (first-aid, search-&-rescue) | Blood-bank supplies to areas in the capital | |
| Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) | Rapid intervention surgical kit with 11-member team left Kathmandu for Gorkha (200 km north-west) (61 staff deployed) | Water and sanitation – makeshift camps – Tudikhel (Kathmandu), Bhaktapur (14 km east of Kathmandu), first-aid material to Bhaktapur hospital | ||
 European Union |
$3.3 million | Aid, first-response teams and civil-protection experts | ||
 Algeria |
$1 million | 70 relief workers, medicines, and other supplies | ||
| Australia |
$15.86 million |
• $3,568,500 to the United Nations relief effort, $793,000 to the World Health Organization, $793,000 to the Australian Red Cross, $396,500 to the RedR Australia relief organisation, $3.172 million for other Australian NGOs. |
• 2 humanitarian experts and a crisis-response team initially. |
|
 Austria |
$835,000 | Austrian Red Cross search-&-rescue staff | ||
 Azerbaijan |
1 ton of medical supplies, tents, blankets and water (Ministry of Emergency Situations) | |||
| Bangladesh |
• BAF Lockheed C-130B aircraft with 10 tonnes of relief materials – tents, dry food, water, blankets, etc. |
A 34-member team (6 military medical teams and foreign ministry officials). Stranded Bangladeshis airlifted. | ||
 Belgium |
$5.5 million | Search-&-rescue teams | ||
 Bhutan |
$1 million | 63 personnel medical team | ||
 Brunei |
8-man relief team (2 doctors, 4 paramedics from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) and Brunei's Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) | |||
| Canada |
$4.16 million; $832,000 to the Canadian Red Cross | A Boeing C-17 with supplies – blankets, jerry-cans, kitchen sets, hygiene kits, and tarps | 150 Canadian troops; a Disaster Assistance Response Team – 30 experts; pledges by humanitarian organizations; immigration assistance | |
| China |
$483 million | Tents, blankets, and generators; emergency response for citizens | China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) – 268 members, 26 search-&-rescue dogs | |
 Colombia |
Fundraising by the Colombian Red Cross | Over 1,500 volunteers from national societies. | Evacuation of citizens and aid (when needed) | |
 Czech Republic |
$791,378 | Blankets, medical supplies, water and food; and a special trauma team – transported with a Boeing 737 | 36 medical workers and 13 firefighters. Evacuated 54 Czechs and 48 EU citizens. | |
 Denmark |
$744,000 | Aid (TBD) | ||
| Estonia |
Fundraising | 15 rescue workers and medics (could not land – airport congestion) | ||
 Finland |
$3.35 million; fundraising by the Finnish Red Cross | Medical and logistical supplies | A Finnish Red Cross relief workers team | |
| France |
Equipment and supplies | Crisis centre at Foreign Ministry; a reinforcement team in New Delhi; 11 rescuers, (more help if needed) | ||
| Germany |
$68.34 million (€60 million), donated by the public | A mobile medical centre | 52 relief workers team – physicians, searchers, dog squads; the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW)'s Rapid Deployment Unit Water and Sanitation Abroad (SEEWA) | |
 Greece |
Search-&-rescue teams | |||
 Haiti |
$1 million | |||
| Hong Kong |
$6.45 million | World Vision Hong Kong raised $1.29 million to provide victims with tents, tarpaulins, solar-powered lights, and other necessities. | ||
 Hungary |
$1 million (HUF 300 million) | |||
| India |
$1 billion by the government | Material aid in Operation Maitri: • 8 tons of baby food |
Rescue aid: • 16 National Disaster Response Force teams, over 1,000 personnel, search-&-rescue dogs Evacuation of over 20,000 Indian citizens and hundreds of foreign nationals by air and road |
|
 Indonesia |
$2 million | 2 Boeing 737-400s belonging to the Indonesian Armed Forces and Garuda Indonesia, flew with 6 tons of relief supplies – blankets, body bags, food, water hospital and sleeping tents, medical equipment: and medicines |
66 personnel of SAR and Medical team | |
 Iran |
An 80,000 pounds (36,000 kg) relief package (via India) | |||
 Ireland |
$1.126 million | |||
| Israel |
Three IAF Hercules and two El Al Boeing 747-400 jets carrying a joint IDF and MFA search-&-rescue team and 95 tons of equipment including a field hospital (with premature-babies ward), cutters, electronic sniffers, generators, and lighting equipment. The planes were also used for evacuation. | 264 person search-&-rescue team, including physicians. | ||
| Italy |
$326,000 | |||
| Japan |
$8.4 million | Emergency relief supplies worth US$210,000 | 70 experts – Foreign Ministry, the National Police Agency, and JICA, along with rescuers, search-&-rescue dog handlers, communication specialists, physicians, and field coordinators | |
 Macau |
$2 million | MGM Macau donated $60,000 to the Macau Red Cross for the ongoing earthquake relief effort in Nepal | ||
| Malaysia |
20 doctors – Mercy Malaysia and Malaysian Red Crescent; 30-man rescue team – Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) | |||
 Maldives |
Other aid (TBA) | |||
 Mexico |
Earthquake rescue brigade and engineers. | |||
 Monaco |
Other aid (TBA) | |||
 Netherlands |
$4.45 million by the government and $25.394.275,18 raised by GIRO 555 Action ('Netherlands helps Nepal') | 5 tons of relief supplies | 62-man and 8-dog team; several physicians, nurses, and engineers | |
| New Zealand |
$771,000 in humanitarian aid | 45 urban search and rescue technicians, 2 aid workers and an engineer. | ||
 Norway |
$31.1 million (as of 25 May 2015). Including: $17.3 million (Norwegian government) and $13.8 million in donations to Norwegian aid organizations through aid concerts and donations from the Norwegian public. | Deployed NORSAR Search and Rescue team, consisting of search dogs, emergency medical personnel and firefighters and equipment and aid of 15.3 tonnes. Transported with the help of a Boeing 737-800 of Norwegian Air Shuttle. | ||
 Pakistan |
•Four Lockheed C-130 planes |
Military emergency personnel including army doctors, medical staff, and the combined ERRA-NDMA's special search and rescue teams with sniffer dogs | ||
 Philippines |
Soldiers, Philippine Red Cross staff, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Humanitarian Assistance Team and volunteers | |||
 Poland |
15 tons of humanitarian aid, including food, medicines, clothes, water purification tablets, etc., donated by the Republic of Poland and various Polish charitable organizations. | 81 firefighters of the State Fire Service, 12 search and rescue dogs, and 6 doctors of the Polish Center for International Aid | ||
 Portugal |
$200,000 (€160,000) | |||
 Qatar |
2 aircraft with 60 tons of relief materials, such as food, medicines, power generators, and tents; 2 additional aircraft with 120 tons of relief materials, in addition to a field hospital provided by Qatari Red Crescent | Aid operations | ||
| Russia |
Two Ilyushin Il-76 airplanes with 'a team of 90 rescuers and rescue equipment,' and 'a batch of humanitarian aid of food products and articles of daily necessity.' | 50 highly skilled rescue workers | ||
 Saudi Arabia |
The Kingdom has sent 190 tons of aid to earthquake-hit Nepal, which includes food, tents and medical supplies, according to the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Kingdom also sent medical workers. | |||
 Singapore |
$100,000 | 60 members of the Singapore Civil Defence Force; officers from Singapore's police forces, including the Gurkha Contingent; another relief team | . |
|
 Slovakia |
$33,000 | |||
 Slovenia |
$55,000 | |||
 South Africa |
A search and rescue team composed of members of the South African Police Service with police dogs to aid in the rescue operation. | |||
 South Korea |
$1 million | Sindhupalchok area • 1000 tents |
42 search and rescue workers including 15 medics and two assistants. Two sniffer dogs. | |
| Spain |
30 tons of humanitarian aid, including more than 3,200 blankets, 1680 awnings and 500 kitchen sets, donated in part by Spanish Red Cross. | 47 soldiers of the Military Emergencies Unit and seven agents of the Civil Guard, with 60 tons of material, in order to find Spanish citizens unlocated. | ||
 Sri Lanka |
SLAF C-130 Hercules flight and SriLankan Airlines Airbus A330 flight with 17 tonnes of medicine, engineering, signal and ordnance equipment, supportive transport requirements, water bottles, health accessories, dry rations, and water purification tablets, etc. | Groups of specialist physicians, other medical staff, and medicine; 44 Sri Lanka Armed Forces personnel and 4 medical consultants; a team of 156 persons, including 11 airmen, 4 medical consultants, and 14 sailors; 97 service personnel: 72 Sri Lanka Army personnel, 14 Sri Lanka Navy personnel, 11 Sri Lanka Air Force personnel | ||
 Sweden |
$1.5 million | 40 support personnel: ICT, coordination, assessment, camp technicians, structural engineer | ||
 Switzerland |
$26.7 million (fundraising) | 38 tonnes of relief supplies | Experts, including a physician, a building surveyor, and a water quality technician | |
 Taiwan |
$300,000 | Nepal rejected Taiwan's offer to send search and rescue teams due to "China factor". | ||
 Thailand |
$200,000 by government $302,000 by the king $5.56 million by the public |
Medics and rescue staff | ||
 Turkey |
1,000 tents and 320 food packages. | Up to 96 search and rescue staff | ||
 United Arab Emirates |
$1.36 million | Medical and food supplies, purchased from India | 88 search and rescue staff | |
| United Kingdom |
$130 million (£83 million), of which $51 million (£33 million) was donated by the government and $79 million (£50 million) was donated by the public | 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid and 8 tonnes of equipment | Around 100 search and rescue responders, medical experts, and disaster and rescue experts deployed by the Department for International Development's United Kingdom International Search and Rescue Team; engineers from the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas; three Chinook helicopters (returned unused by the Nepalese government) | |
| United States |
$10 million by government, the public donates separately through several agencies | A disaster response team from USAID; Urban Search and Rescue Virginia Task Force 1 from Fairfax County, Virginia was deployed to Nepal from the Dover Air Force Base; Los Angeles County's Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 2; U.S. Army Green Beret soldiers; 900 Marines of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade; eight C-130s, five helicopters and four V-22 Osprey VTOL aircraft | ||
 Vatican City |
$100,000 | |||
 Vietnam |
$50,000 by government $30,000 by the Vietnam Red Cross |
11 rescuers – Vietnam Red Cross | ||
| Approximate Total | US$3 billion |
Images for kids
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Damaged homes in Kathmandu after the April mainshock.
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Map showing the main earthquake and aftershocks up to May 12, along with locations of past major earthquakes
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M6+ Himalayan region earthquakes, 1900–2014
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USGS shakemap showing the intensity of shaking
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Map showing the aftershocks of the 2015 Nepal earthquake
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People waiting on the airport tarmac for flights after aftershocks forced the airport to open all exit doors
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Damage in the Basantpur Durbar Square
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Kathmandu Durbar Square before the earthquake
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Building damage as a result of the earthquake
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Damaged building in Balaju area
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Road damage in Nepal
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Patan Durbar Square's Hari Shankar Temple completely collapsed after 2015 earthquake
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Patan Durbar Square's Hari Shankar Temple after its full restoration; pictured in 2023
See also
In Spanish: Terremoto de Nepal de abril de 2015 para niños
- Economy of Nepal
- Foreign aid to Nepal
- Geology of the Himalaya
- List of avalanches
- List of earthquakes in 2015
- List of earthquakes in China
- List of earthquakes in India
- List of earthquakes in Nepal
- List of earthquakes in South Asia
- List of people who died climbing Mount Everest
- List of World Heritage Sites in Nepal
- Operation Sahayogi Haat
- Politics of Nepal
 | Lonnie Johnson |
 | Granville Woods |
 | Lewis Howard Latimer |
 | James West |
