Prince George, B.C.-  The Canadian Red Cross is expected to finalize today,  its roster of  experts who will be called upon to head to Nepal to assist  in the wake of the  devastating  earthquake that has claimed thousands of lives.

(image at right courtesy Canadian Red Cross)Although disaster experts from the Prince George area have  answered the call in  previous  situations ( Hurricane Katrina for one) it is not yet clear if any  members of the Red Cross Team that will head to Nepal  will be from this region.

The 7.9 quake rocked Nepal on  Saturday and the death toll  is rapidly rising  and early reports suggest it  will be  over 4,000.

There are  ways  to help if  you  so wish.  The Canadian Government is already sending relief supplies and has committed $5 million dollars to the relief effort.  The Government has also announced   it will match, dollar for dollar,  donations made to the Nepal relief fund which has been established by the Red Cross .  To donate, click here,  or  call the toll free hotline

To find out information on Canadian citizens who may have been in Nepal,  contact  Foreign Affairs Canada 1-800-387-3124.

The Red Cross Restoring Family Links Program helps people re-establish contact with their family members when separated by natural disasters.  If you are looking for someone who isn’t a Canadian citizen, check this website http://www.familylinks.icrc.org  .