Following the loss of culture and human life in the wake of the Nepal earthquake late last week, UNESCO is taking steps to asses and try to manage the damage to heritage sites across the country.

Following preliminary assessments on the ground, UNESCO has determined that Durbar Squares of Patan, Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu) and Bhaktapur have taken the most damage, with the sites almost fully destroyed. By contrast, the World heritage sites of the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, and Chitwan National Park have been left relatively unscathed by the massive quake and aftershocks.

Nepal’s natural heritage sites have also been severely affected, particularly the World Heritage site of Sagarmatha National Park and Mount Everest.

“As we are receiving more information from the ground, I am deeply aggrieved by the magnitude of human loss caused by the earthquake in Nepal,” said Irina Bokova, director-general of UNESCO. “I am also shocked by its devastating impact on the unique cultural heritage in the country, in particular extensive and irreversible damage at the World Heritage site of Kathmandu Valley.

“UNESCO has mobilised its expertise as well as international support for Nepal at this difficult time, including for the safeguarding of its heritage”, she continued. “UNESCO is currently preparing to field an international expert mission to undertake an in-depth damage assessment and, based thereon to advise and provide support to the Nepalese authorities and local communities on its protection and conservation with a view to recovery.”

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake, which has to date killed at least 5,500 people in Nepal and injured at least 11,000, has affected more than eight million people, also destroying around 70,000 homes.