Today is one of the darkest days of my life, and my anxiety levels are really high. I have my health final, but I cannot study or concentrate because a huge earthquake of 7.9 magnitude scale struck Nepal where three of my grandparents and the rest of my family live.

I woke up at 4am and the internet exploded. As did my heart of course, but lets not focus on me. So far the death tolls have crossed 800, with hundreds injured. 18 have died in the Everest avalanche that destroyed both base camps 1 and 2, and hundreds are still missing. Thousands are reported to be scattered all across the famous Annapurna trekking trails with no whereabouts.

Kathmandu’s historical Bhimsen Tower built in 1892 collapsed into a rubble trapping almost 200 and killing about 59. As did most of the major cultural and historical sites in the valley of temples.

There have been more than 24 aftershocks of high magnitudes in the last six hours, and as I’m typing this my mum is talking to my aunt on the phone in Nepal who’s describing another aftershock that’s happening right now.

My grandparents, who are in their eighties and ailing sat outside on the streets just like hundreds of others in Nepal for several hours, without food, water or their medications, too scared to go inside. My family is well and alive, and so are everyone I know. They have camped on a futsal ground in our neighbourhood and plan to spend the night there. The thought of my 83 year old grandmother camping outside on the ground, in the cold freezing rain is breaking my heart.

But it could have been worse. My family is alive. But hundreds have lost theirs. Electricity, most phones and communication are down. Locals are digging through the rubble with their bare hands. The humanitarian camp tents are soaking and blowing away because of the wind and the rain. A 48- hour high intense tremor risk alert has been issued.

There is nothing I can do from here right now. I am praying for my brothers and sisters in Nepal. I’ve experienced two minor earthquakes in Nepal myself a few years ago, and me and my sister had actually laughed at how exciting it felt to have a little adventure.

But today is not an adventure. Today is a disaster that has flattened villages and killed thousands.

My friends and I are fundraising to support the victims in the earthquake. It is not only lives to be saved, but also the lives to be rebuilt, that is going to take a long long time for a small country like Nepal.

Please donate to support Nepal in this disaster. The donations will go directly to UNICEF Nepal.

http://www.gofundme.com/swk1co

Every cent counts. A dollar is approximately NRs. 100. Two dollars might mean one less cup of coffee for you, but it will mean a night of food and water for a small family in Nepal.

For pictures and details about the earthquake: http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/25/asia/nepal-earthquake-7-5-magnitude/index.html

https://twitter.com/search?q=Nepal&src=tren

Update: More than 75 huge aftershock tremors recorded till now. The latest death toll is over 2100 and is expected to rise. May the souls rest in peace.