Nepal Earthquake 2015: UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, is mobilized in Nepal after the devastating 7.9 earthquake that hit the country. UNICEF expects children to be among the worst affected by Nepal earthquake, which hit the area around the capital city of Kathmandu.

The full impact of the disaster is still being assessed. UNICEF estimates that 40 percent of Nepal's population is children, who are the most vulnerable during emergencies. UNICEF is ready to spearhead the response for children and has prepositioned supplies, including water purification tablets, hygiene kits, tarpaulins and nutrition supplies.

UNICEF has two offices in Kathmandu city, and has been working in Nepal since 1964 to save and improve the lives of the country's most vulnerable children.

UNICEF said its first priorities are life-saving interventions, which includes essential medicines, nutrition supplies, safe water and hygiene supplies to children and families. An earthquake of this size can be deadly, toppling buildings and destroying roads and infrastructure.

UNICEF will conduct a rapid assessment of damages and needs within the coming hours, as conditions allow more access to the hardest hit regions. UNICEF is also working with government and other partners to meet children's immediate needs in the areas of water and sanitation, child protection, health and nutrition.

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.

To help UNICEF's relief efforts, the organization says people can make a a tax-deductible contribution at www.unicefusa.org/nepal.