Collections for the Disasters Emergency Committee aid appeal for earthquake-hit Nepal will be taking place around the Isle of Man this weekend.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which happened last Saturday, is the worst Nepal has experienced for 80 years and is known to have left more than 3,700 people dead and hundreds of thousands without shelter.

Many buildings in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu have been ravaged by the earthquake and volunteers have been desperately looking for survivors among the rubble. The situation is not yet clear in outlying areas due to avalanches in the mountainous terrain and communication difficulties.  Rain is hampering recovery work and hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties.

The Isle of Man has long-established links with Nepal with a number of Manx charities working in the area.  Kirk Michael is twinned with Ghamrang, a village in mid-west Nepal.

DEC appeals in the Isle of Man are co-ordinated by the One World Centre which forms part of the Rapid Response Network.  Volunteers will be collecting for the appeal in the following locations:

Douglas and Ramsey: Friday 1st May and Saturday 2nd May
Peel and Castletown: Saturday 2nd May
Port Erin: Friday 1st May, Saturday 2nd May and Sunday 3rd May

More volunteer collectors are needed – anyone who is able to help is asked to call Rosemary Clarke on 800464 or email info@owciom.org as soon as possible.

More information about the appeal can be found at www.dec.org.uk.  Direct donations can also be made at the DEC website.