The devastating earthquake in Nepal is affecting many people and students in the Bay Area.
At UC Berkeley, the Nepali Student Association is springing into action to help. Members are taking stock of what happened, with some saying they have family members who lost homes, or they have a tie to people who did not make it.
The students and an adviser are trying to do what they can to help with one immediate need--clean water and sanitation.
After the massive earthquake that ripped across the Himalayan nation, more than 2,500 people are believed to have been killed.
Students said they want to help, but at first, it was a rush to try and reach family.
"I tried to reach them," Cal student Lakpa Sherpa said. "I was so worried, and at around 4 a.m., I got a hold of them. That's when I was relieved, and I knew that they were all safe back home. Unfortunately, as days goes on, I hear that many friends didn’t make it."
Another student, Puja Dahal, said the people in Nepal will need fresh water to get through the aftermath of the magnitude-7.8 earthquake.
"We believe this is the most critical thing right now, which is water," Dahal said. "We’re going to buy water filters or purifiers for people in Nepal. "We're currently working to get organizations to help us get water purifiers to Nepal."
Organizers have set up a GoFundMe page for their cause. They said they will hold a candlelight vigil Wednesday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
