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As Unicef prepared two cargo flights of humanitarian supplies for urgent airlift to Kathmandu, actor and Unicef UK Ambassador Ewan McGregor has urged the UK public to support Unicef UK’s Nepal Earthquake Appeal

As the death-toll continues to rise and Unicef warned that at least 2.8 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, Ewan is calling the UK public to get behind the Unicef’s urgent appeal for children in Nepal. 

Speaking on Monday, Ewan said: 

“I don’t think anyone seeing the news over the weekend could fail to be moved by the devastating situation in Nepal. I was able to visit this beautiful country with Unicef, so I know that the team on the ground will be doing everything in their power to help children and their families in danger.” 

“The children I met in Nepal left a lasting impression on me and now hundreds of thousands of them are facing a third night out in the elements. It’s absolutely heart-breaking to think that some of the children I met have now been left with nothing. The earthquake has not only destroyed their homes and their schools, but left millions of children scared and in danger.”

“There are over 2.8 million children in Nepal in desperate need of our help. By texting NEPAL to 70123 and donating £5, you can help Unicef keep more children safe following this terrible disaster.”
Unicef UK have launched an urgent appeal to support Unicef’s work on the on the ground, including delivering clean water and other life-saving emergency supplies to children and their families. 

Unicef UK Executive Director David Bull said:

“With children accounting for half the country’s population, we fear loss of life and great disruption to children’s lives, as homes and schools are destroyed. Unicef has been working in Nepal for over 40 years so our ¬experience and local knowledge is huge. But we can’t do it alone. Just £5 could help to provide an emergency water kit that will enable a family to collect, store and even purify water. The children of Nepal need our help. Please donate today”

The 7.9 magnitude earthquake, and nearly 60 aftershocks, caused vast devastation across much of the country, including reportedly more than 5,000 deaths and widespread destruction of buildings.

Unicef staff in Nepal report dwindling supplies of water and food, power outages, and downed cellphone networks. Hundreds of thousands of people spent the night sleeping in open areas, out of fear of more tremors. Heavy rain is now also reported to be worsening conditions.  This crisis leaves children particularly vulnerable - limited access to safe water and sanitation will put children at great risk from waterborne diseases, while some children may have become separated from their families.

Notes for editors:

For further information please contact the Unicef UK Press Office on +44 (0)20 7375 6030 or media@unicef.org.uk

About Unicef

Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.  

Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children.  As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk