As rescue efforts continue following the earthquake in  Nepal, some of the people helping survivors don't yet know if their own families are safe.

Dr. Helene Gayle, President and CEO of CARE USA, which is based in Atlanta, calls that a testament to the caliber of people who work with CARE.

"It just speaks to the kind of commitment and dedication of our staff, because even in the midst of this being a tragedy that's unfolding for themselves personally, they are doing all that they can to help their fellow citizens and help people survive as best as possible in the midst of this devastation," says Dr. Gayle.

Even more CARE teams are coming into Nepal from around the world to bolster the response.  The 7.8 magnitude earthquake Saturday killed thousands, and left even more homeless and afraid.  The quake was in a densely-populated area. Communication in the area is sporadic; there are power outages and there is a lack of running water.

"There have been aftershocks, the infrastructure is crumbled," she says. "There's a lot of panic."

CARE teams have been working around the clock since the earthquake hit, helping pull survivors to safety and giving first aid.  Their own office was undamaged, and their communications are working, albeit patchily. The electricity and water supply problems do affect them, though. Fortuitously, CARE had just relocated its Nepal office to another location about a year ago.

"The previous office that we were in, we were obviously concerned about its structural integrity to be able to withstand an earthquake, so the new office that we are in was chosen specifically for its ability to withstand any future earthquake," says CARE Vice President Nick Osborne.

The work, however, is still obviously tough.  Dr. Gayle says that they are getting supplies into the country now to help survivors.

"Things like access to clean and safe drinking water; food; blankets, because people are sleeping out in the streets, and nights are cold," she says.

Tuesday, the first 1,500 family kits should arrive in Nepal from India.  They include blankets, tarps, clothes, and hygiene items such as soap and toothbrushes.

Rescuers are also very concerned about sanitation and minimizing the possibility of the spread of disease.

"Without access to clean and safe water, [there is] a lot of concern about hygiene, people not having homes to be able to do all of life's basic needs," said Gayle.

Women and children, especially pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers, are at particular risk in disasters like this, says Gayle.  They are often the last ones to get adequate food and water, leading to dehydration and illness.  Maternal mortality also escalates.

CARE is launching a multi-million donation appeal to elevate their response.  The CEO says they need the help and generosity of the community now.  Donors are asked to log on to www.care.org.

"We're trying to raise $40 million that will help us reach over 70,000 people in Nepal," says Dr. Gayle.  "And every little bit helps. I think people sometimes don't realize how far their resources go.  For instance, for $75.00, it will feed people for 15 days.  Just over $100.00 will provide access to safe drinking water for 12 families.  So we're talking about not huge amounts, but can make a big, big difference in the lives of people who are going through this incredible tragedy."