While there is not much we can do to preventing natural disasters, particularly severe ones such as the magnitude-7.9 quake which struck Nepal on Saturday afternoon. Swift and coordinated rescuing efforts make a difference in coping with the aftermath in terms of saving more lives and minimizing property loss.

The severity of the Nepalese disaster, with the death toll rising to over 3,200 as of Monday afternoon and tens of thousands still trapped in remote mountainous regions in terrible conditions, warrants large, swift and coordinated relief and rescue efforts from the international community. Constrained by limited resources, Nepal simply cannot cope alone.

The good news is many governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as relief agencies, the world over are gearing up humanitarian relief operations to deliver personnel, supplies, food, medicine and financial assistance to the landlocked country.

In keeping its commitment to humanitarian causes, China has led the way in the latest international rescue and relief operations. Its first two rescue teams - a 62-strong Chinese International Search and Rescue Team and the Blue Sky Rescue Team under the Red Cross Society of China - have been working round the clock in the stricken area after arriving on Sunday; senior officials from key departments in Beijing are coordinating efforts to deliver humanitarian aid worth $3.2 million. In a parallel effort, Beijing authority has also taken prompt action to bring stranded Chinese tourists home. As a result, Chinese tourists including some from Hong Kong and Macao were among the first foreign nationals to safely leave Nepal - again showing China can protect its citizens.

Hong Kong people, with a long tradition of generosity and kindness, wasted no time in starting their own relief efforts. Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee would expeditiously process related funding proposals for emergency relief programs to provide early relief to the needy. The Hong Kong Red Cross has contributed HK$500,000 for immediate aid work, and set up a Nepal earthquake SOS service hotline. World Vision Hong Kong has sent more than 200 staff to Nepal and had contributed HK$1.56 million to help survivors.

More organizations and individuals in Hong Kong are expected to join the global relief efforts in the next few days, either by sending relief teams, providing supplies or donating money. Feeling for the Nepalese, Hong Kong people are responding to the fundraising campaign launched by NGOs such as Hong Kong Red Cross, World Vision Hong Kong and Oxfam Hong Kong.

(China Daily 04/28/2015 page10)