ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Officials say the death toll from the 7.8 magnitude Nepal earthquake, the largest recorded in the Asian country in 80 years, has now surpassed 4,000.
The disaster is heartbreaking, especially for thousands of Nepali refugees living in the Rochester area.
Bijiya Khadka came to America six years ago. Like many Nepali living in the area, he has had a hard time reaching relatives back home.
"It was so terrible. My heart was so broken, tears."
Suk Maye Rai moved here nearly two years ago, joining family members already living here. She too has had a hard time contacting family, affected by the quake.
"Hospital fall down. There's no more hospital, no more schools," she said.
Those who assist refugees and immigrants at House of Refuge USA said there are between 6,000 and 8,000 Nepalese living in the Rochester area.
"There's a lot of anxiety, a lot of stress involved with this. They feel hopeless. They're hoping to give them hope," said Bill Wischmeyer.
Wischmeyer works with Bijaya, who founded the relief organization, which provides aid to those here and abroad.
"The resiliency they have, and how they're coming together and talking about it and saying, 'Hey, we've got to do something. This is our country. This is our homeland.'"
The group is raising funds for Nepal, and will hold a candlelight vigil for those killed in the quake. Bijaya is also part of a group going to Nepal in June, to help his homeland begin to rebuild.
"I feel like I want to go there and see what's going on, and to help them," said Khadka.