Towns and villages near the epicentre of Saturday`s earthquake that claimed at least 6,200 lives in Nepal have suffered "almost total devastation", the Red Cross says.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said on Thursday that they were "extremely concerned" about the welfare of hundreds of thousands of people, with those in remote areas outside the Kathmandu Valley facing an unknown fate.
The devastation appeared particularly dire in the Sindupalchowk region, a mountainous area northeast of Kathmandu, which was becoming a major focus of international relief efforts with up to 90 percent of homes destroyed in some parts.
"Six Red Cross assessment teams are reporting that some towns and villages in the worst-affected districts close to the epicentre have suffered almost total devastation," it said in a statement.
Launching an appeal for $415m in aid, the UN said it would take a marathon effort to help the people of one of Asia`s poorest countries.
The International Monetary Fund said it was ready to extend aid to Nepal and would send a team to assess the situation "as soon as possible".
Nepalese and Indian military helicopters have also been flying in aid to remote areas of Gorkha district, another badly-hit region, which otherwise takes up to 12 days to reach by foot, the WHO said.
The gloomy assessments of the situation came as the rescue of two survivors brought some hope to people in the capital.
The rescue of 15-year-old Pemba Tamang, who told AFP news agency he stayed alive by eating a jar of ghee (clarified butter), was hailed as a miracle five days after the massive quake.
