More than 2,000 people are confirmed dead after the most powerful earthquake in 81 years struck Nepal on Saturday. The 7.8 magnitude quake occurred near the capital city of Kathmandu at noon, toppling buildings and injuring more than 5,000.
Taiwan has donated US$300,000 to help with rescue and recovery work. The health ministry, the local branch of the Red Cross and other organizations have also set up special accounts to accept donations to offer assistance to Nepal.
The foreign ministry has relayed Taiwan’s condolences to Nepal via its representative to India, who was in Nepal at the time of the quake. The government has also expressed its willingness to help with the search and rescue efforts, saying that teams are ready to head to Nepal as soon as a request for assistance is made.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministry has raised its four-tier travel alert for Nepal to the highest level of “red”, advising citizens to suspend unnecessary travel to that country.