Actor appeals to British public for help on Unicef's behalf

Ewan McGregor is urging the UK public to support Unicef UK’s Nepal Earthquake Appeal as the death-toll in the disaster-hit region continues to rise.

Unicef warns at least 2.8 million children are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance as aid agencies face dwindling supplies.

The global charity said hundreds of thousands of people are sleeping in open areas, out of fear of more tremors.

Heavy rain is now also reported to be worsening conditions.

The crisis leaves children particularly vulnerable – limited access to safe water and sanitation will put children at great risk from waterborne diseases like cholera, while some children may have become separated from their families.

Star Wars actor McGregor, a Unicef ambassador, visited Nepal in 2011, to deliver vaccines and immunise children.

He said: “The children I met in Nepal left a lasting impression on me and now hundreds of thousands of them are facing a third night out in the elements.

“It’s absolutely heart-breaking to think that some of the children I met have now been left with nothing.

"The earthquake has not only destroyed their homes and their schools, but left millions of children scared and in danger."

The 7.9 magnitude earthquake, and nearly 60 aftershocks, caused vast devastation across much of the country, including more than 5,000 deaths and widespread destruction of buildings.

Money raised will go towards delivering clean water and other life-saving emergency supplies to children and their families.

Unicef UK executive director David Bull said: “With children accounting for half the country’s population, we fear loss of life and great disruption to children’s lives, as homes and schools are destroyed.

"Unicef has been working in Nepal for over 40 years so our ­experience and local knowledge is huge.

“But we can’t do it alone. Just £5 could help to provide an emergency water kit that will enable a family to collect, store and even purify water.”

Donations can be made by texting NEPAL to 70123 and donating £5.