On April 25, following the magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal, Dolma Tamang was enclosed within the house she inhabited, as it crumbled around her.
Tamang was “heavily pregnant” when she managed to dig herself out to safety, despite sustaining serious injuries. “I was so worried about the baby that I did not care about my own health, even though I had wounds everywhere and had trouble breathing,” Tamang told BBC.
Two weeks after dragging herself to safety, Tamang went into labour and was discovered by a team of Japanese clinicians working with a mobile unit. They removed her from her temporary housing and rushed her to the closest Red Cross clinic in Melamchi, a village in central Nepal.
The healthy baby was delivered successfully according to the British Red Cross.
“Even though we lost almost all of our belongings and live in a temporary shelter, I could not be happier and more thankful for this little miracle,” Tamang said. “This baby being born healthy is a sign of hope and second life for our whole family”.
Through the devastation and tragedy that has befallen the citizens of Nepal, and the International community, it is amazing to see such incredible feats of courage and perseverance. 
Unfortunately, Tamang is just one of many mothers seeking assistance following the earthquake, with scores of new mothers and soon-to-be mothers, left homeless and exposed to the elements.
The United Nations has warned that an outbreak of diarrhoea and measles are serious concerns for the new and expectant mothers. UNICEF has also issued a statement addressing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance for upwards of 1 million children.
