USAID/OFDA is airlifting 700 rolls of heavy-duty plastic sheeting to Nepal, which will address the critical shelter needs of up to 35,000 earthquake-affected people. The UN launched a $415 million flash funding appeal for humanitarian response efforts in Nepal, including food, health, and shelter assistance, as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) support. Rescue and relief operations are underway in nine of the 11 most severely affected districts, the UN reports.

Relief efforts in response to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck central Nepal on April 25 are underway in Nepal and other affected countries. The USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART)–comprising nearly 130 humanitarian and urban search-and-rescue (USAR) personnel—are en route to Nepal. USAID/OFDA announced an additional $9 million to support emergency relief operations in Nepal, bringing total USAID funding to $10 million as of April 27.