DISASTERS in far-off countries can seem remote. The sheer numbers of dead and dying leave us feeling numbed.

The devastating earthquake which struck Nepal at the weekend, destroying villages and killing thousands of people, seems close to us here in York, however, because so many Gurkha soldiers are based here.

We don’t know yet whether any of our Gurkhas have lost loved ones. But we do know they will be desperately worried about those back home. Our thoughts are with them.

In some ways, this was an international disaster. Kathmandu is a base for exploring the Himalayas. A good number of the thousands so far confirmed dead have been foreign travellers.

Former York archaeologist Dr. Hayley Saul, who was in Nepal doing field research, narrowly escaped the earthquake. Her guide lost his whole family. “It’s some kind of apocalyptic nightmare,” Dr Saul’s sister, Emma Price, said.

An international relief effort is beginning. If you feel able to give, please do.