Nepal earthquake: U.S. government to provide $1 million in assistance

CNN  — 

The United States government will provide $1 million in immediate assistance to Nepal following the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the U.S. Embassy in Nepal said Saturday.

Additionally, a U.S. rescue team is preparing for their Nepal departure, the embassy said. The U.S. Agency for International Development has a Disaster Assistance Response Team on its way to Nepal as well.

The embassy said it would continue providing updates as they become available.

The aid comes after the earthquake, 50 miles from Kathmandu, destroyed homes, temples and historic buildings. At least 1,400 people were confirmed dead by early Sunday morning, authorities said, but the death toll may rise as search-and-rescue efforts continue.

Secretary of State John Kerry released a statement saying that the people of the United States send “our heartfelt sympathies. The United States stands with you during this difficult time.”

And the White House released a statement from National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan that said, “The American people express deep condolences for the lives lost in today’s earthquake.”

Both statements reiterated the immediate assistance the United States government is providing to Nepal.

Meanwhile, several politicians took to Twitter to express their condolences:

The United States has not yet released any plans for long-term assistance to the area.