Following the earthquake in Nepal this weekend, from which the death-toll has now reached over 4000 people, S&D Group president, Gianni Pittella, said:

"We express our condolences to the thousands of victims. Our thoughts are with their families in this difficult time.

"We make a special appeal to help the 1 million children who remain under threat and are especially vulnerable without help.

"We call on the European Union and its member states, as well as on the international community, to provide humanitarian and financial assistance to Nepal. A tragedy of this magnitude cannot be dealt with by the Nepalese people on their own.

"We also encourage citizens to donate directly to the cause, via NGOs and other humanitarian players active on the ground.

"Nepal needs our solidarity now. All means of humanitarian and financial aid must be stepped up in order to avoid further deaths."

S&D press contact