DORSET residents are banding together to help those whose lives have been torn apart by a devastating earthquake.

More than 3,600 are now confirmed to have died after the quake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, struck Nepal and several powerful aftershocks were felt in India, Bangladesh and China.

It was the largest earthquake to hit the country in 80 years and it flattened entire sections of the capital city, Kathmandu.

Homes have been lost and historic buildings destroyed.

There are 14 international medical teams on the way to Nepal, the UN said, and up to 15 international search-and-rescue teams have been sent.

It is thought that nearly one million children in Nepal urgently need humanitarian assistance and the country is running out of water and food, and there are frequent power cuts, the UN says.

A major appeal has been launched today (TUES) by leading UK aid agencies.

The DEC Nepal Earthquake Appeal brings together charities such as Oxfam, the British Read Cross, Save the Children and Tearfund and the first £5m raised will be matched by UK aid through the Department for International Development.

Dorchester’s Oxfam charity shops are appealing for donations to support the emergency response.

All cash donations collected at the Oxfam shops in South Street will go towards the operation to help those who are now struggling to survive after losing almost everything.

Derek Turnbull, bookshop manager, said: “We have all seen the terrible images and we all want to help, in however small a way.

“Donating in the shop is easy and will make a real difference to Oxfam’s emergency work.”

Cecilia Keizer, Oxfam country director in Nepal, said: "Communication is currently very difficult.

"Telephone lines are down and the electricity has been cut off making charging mobile phones difficult. The water is also cut off.

"The number of people killed is continuing to rise.

" Many of the old houses have been destroyed and at least one large apartment block has come down in Kathmandu.

"Given the closeness to the epicentre Pokhara must also be badly affected.

"Oxfam is preparing to help provide clean water and emergency food.

"People are gathered in their thousands in open spaces and are scared as there have been several aftershocks."

To make a donation to the Nepal Earthquake Appeal visit dec.org.uk, call the 24 hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.

What your money will buy:

• £25- water purification tablets for ten families for a month

• £50- feed a family for two weeks

• £100- emergency shelter and bedding for one family

Meanwhile, local rotary clubs, such as Melcombe Regis, are doing their bit to help.

Members will holding a street collection in Weymouth town centre in aid of Shelterbox on Friday.

Member Ian Brooke said: "We will be collecting in Weymouth town centre not simply because the people of Nepal urgently need our help but also in memory of our late Rotarian, Ken Hazard who, as an army officer, regarded the Nepalese Gurkhas as probably the best troops he ever commanded. So our efforts are for the Nepalese people and in memory of Ken."

You can donate to Shelterbox on 0300 0300 500 or by cash or cheque to local Shelterbox volunteer representative Ian Brooke who can be reached at ian@brookephoto.co.uk. Ian is more than willing to talk to groups, clubs and schools etc and demonstrate the Shelterbox and its contents.