UNESCO Representative to Nepal Christian Manhart said that the situation of Nepal’s damaged cultural sites is “crucial” and China’s help could play a significant role in the restoration process.

In an interview with Xinhua on May 6, Manhart said the historic sites in Katmandu are in critical condition after the 7. 9 magnitude earthquake which hit the country on April 25.

According to Manhart, fund raising is extremely important for the restoration and his office has received $50,000 from a private person from China’s Hong Kong for the emergency consolidation and $70,000 from the heritage fund.

Manhart said international help is vital to rebuild those ancient buildings and China could play a significant role in the project. “China can provide enormous help because it has experience in earthquakes and landslides, so China could provide specialists, teams and equipment to work with us for the emergency consolidation,” he stressed.

He also called on Chinese cities as well as entrepreneurs to donate for the reconstruction funding, which would be very kind and useful as he described it.

The 7.9 magnitude earthquake which has already claimed more than 7,000 lives last week has also destroyed an abundance of magnificent historic sites in Katmandu valley, including temples and ancient towers.