Community rallies for victims of Nepal earthquake

At Notre Dame, dozens of people gathered at the grotto to pray for the people of Nepal.

U.N. humanitarian officials in Nepal say they are increasingly worried about the spread of disease. They say more helicopters are needed to reach isolated mountain villages, which were hard to access even before the massive earthquake quake struck a week ago. The government's latest number has reached 7,040 dead.

Many of the people at the grotto in Notre Dame are from Nepal and some still have family over there, and now they're working to help with the relief effort.

"It is very important for all of us here to try and help those people through some aid and donations," said Samir Budhathoki. "Whatever is possible."

"Let's not look at the situation as the end of our country," said Shanti Lama, who is orginally from Nepal but graduating from Bethel College this weekend. "But as the beginning of something different. We will work together and hopefully make it a better one."

Aid workers say people in Nepal are still in desperate need of basic supplies, such as tents and clean water.

The students at Notre Dame have started an organization to help streamline the relief effort called Hope Initiative.

If you're interested in helping out, you can find more information, including where and how to make donations here:

http://www.hopefornepal.org