People are facing severe shortages of clean drinking water, food and medical assistance. The disaster zone has a population of 1.4 million people, with around 70,000 already gathered in crowded evacuation sites.

There was a focus on the post-war years when there were appeals for the Congo, Biafra and East Pakistan.

Over half a million suspected cholera cases and twenty million people in need of aid in beleaguered state.

Trócaire workers are responding to this humanitarian crisis with dedication, courage and selflessness.

"They had just started to feel safe going back indoors at night when quake hit on Tuesday."

Contribution recognises unprecedented scale of the crisis - Minister Costello.

Seventy-seven percent support investment "even in an economic down-turn."