The United Nations on Wednesday appealed 415 million US dollars to support the Nepali government to provide vital relief to earthquake-affected people.

UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told a daily briefing that the funds will go towards a joint action plan to address the most critical needs over the next three months in areas of shelter, water and sanitation, emergency health, food, and protection.

Haq said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday discussed with the Prime Minister of Nepal, Sushil Koirala, via phone on work being done regarding search-and-rescue efforts and humanitarian aid, and Ban expressed UN's solidarity with the people of Nepal.

According to UN estimates, Up to 1.4 million people will benefit from food assistance, while some 2.1 million children and 525,000 women will benefit from protection assistance.

"Emergency shelter will be provided for 500,000 people who remain in the open," said Haq, adding that safe drinking water and sanitation facilities are urgently needed for up to 4.2 million people.

The magnitude-7.9 quake struck Nepal on Saturday. More than 5, 000 people have lost their lives and more than 10,000 people were injured in the earthquake and in the many aftershocks that followed.

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