While there is a large international aid programme in place for Kathmandu and the surrounding areas, the remote and very poor villages are isolated from this support.

As many of you are aware, last year I spent three of the most remarkable months of my life in a village called Tartong, Helambu. It is in a district called Sindulpalchowk, which has just been listed as one of the areas worst affected by the earthquake. Hardly any news has come out of the area yet, except descriptions of total destruction, including the school we helped to build last summer. The area has been cut off from any roads and helicopter assistance is just starting to come through.

Cambridge University HELP foundation works with a larger organisation called Mondo. This organisation has for many years been involved in establishing a system of solid education and implementing livelihoods projects in the Helambu region. They are therefore very well placed to understand the needs on the ground and will be coordinating funding and other support for Helambu. While it remains important to support international organisations, targeted aid is needed for some of the most remote places.

This is remarkable area of Nepal, which has recently been working really hard to improve their own conditions of life. It is outside the traditional tourist area, and therefore is one of the least developed areas in Nepal. I can only really speak from my own experience of Tartong, but these are some of the most wonderful people and truly many of my best friends. They are in dire need of support right now, but I know if they are given the appropriate resources they will work together and unbelievable hard to re-build their community.

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