Local Nepalese Community Shaken By Hometown Quake
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A candlelight vigil was held at Florida International University's main campus by members of the Nepalese Student Association, in remembrance of those killed by an earthquake.
The confirmed death toll stands at more than 4,300 and the number of injured just under 8,000.
Candles outlining the shape of the Nepalese flag flickered as a moment of silence was held for the lives lost after a devastating 7.8 earthquake Saturday left Nepal in shambles.
Thankfully none of the nearly 40 Nepalese students or faculty at FIU lost immediate family, but they worry about their loved ones struggling after their homes were destroyed.
"There's not enough food to eat and they were staying together with other neighbors and they were eating whatever they have together," said Namuna Panday whose parent's home was destroyed.
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"They're living without a tent and it was raining so he was rushing to get some food and there was a tremor, so people are really afraid," said event organizer Prem Chapagain.
His brother's home was destroyed.
FIU also held a meeting Monday afternoon with the Nepalese Student Association to see what the university can do to help and also encouraging students to continue with their education.
"Now more than ever you have to redouble your efforts to graduate," said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg.
In Tamarac, news of the quake shook one couple to their core.
"We all know that something big would happen, it was just a matter of when," said Ashok Shrestha who is from Nepal.
Ashok Shrestha and his wife Ranjana Shrestha were stunned at the destruction. Among the casualties was their nephew.
"He (nephew) along with five other people, the wall fell down and I think it was pretty much an instant thing," said Ashok Shrestha.
While Ashok Shrestha was speaking with CBS4's Ted Scouten, he received a phone call from a friend who's a vascular surgeon in Katmandu.
The doctor explained helping the injured was getting more difficult by the hour.
"The hospital, we don't have beds we are treating them outside on the floor," the surgeon explained.
The damage has been so severe the surgeon said he and many people are sleeping outside. He added many are afraid of the aftershocks, which continues to collapse damaged buildings.
Ranjana Shrestha's family is also afraid to enter buildings, so they are currently living under a tarp. While living in fear, they wonder about relatives they haven't heard from, hoping they survived.
"My distant aunt is missing. Her house was collapsed and they don't know where she is. They don't know if she got out or was buried in some other place," said Ranjana Shrestha. "My distant cousin, she is missing too, her house is collapsed and they don't have any news on her."
Supplies are drying up quickly and the people of Nepal are desperate need of help.
Neighboring countries have been aiding in the recovery effort, but the people still need food, clean water, medicine and tents.
If you'd like to donate, go to www.unitedfnafans.org or www.redcross.org.
