Nepal Steps Up Rescue Effort Amid Global Aid Rush

Foreign aid is streaming into Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake that left thousands injured and dead and devastated property. Thousands more are without shelter. “The first nations to respond were Nepal's neighbours – India, China, and Pakistan, all of which have been jockeying for influence over the landlocked nation,” reports Al Jazeera. The political rivalry among the larger nations puts Nepal in the middle. The country has close political and cultural ties with India. Pakistan and China have experience with delivering fast disaster relief to areas with small airports and infrastructure. India was long the largest foreign investor in Nepal but China is catching up with investments in highways and hydroelectric. The landlocked country of 30 million is underdeveloped and largely depends on agriculture. Tourism is a leading source of income for residents of the capital city that provides access to Mount Everest and offers a rich history in art and architecture, much of which has been damaged by the earthquake. – YaleGlobal