These remarkable pictures show Nepalese children participating in 'laughter yoga' to help relieve trauma following the two earthquakes that left the country devastated in recent weeks. The pictures, which were shot in Kathmandu on Friday, show small children smiling and playing in a group session, with advocates of the technique suggesting forced laughter gives the same psychological uplift as spontaneous laughter
On Friday, the UN General Assembly called for urgent assistance to help the earthquake survivors and to rebuild the impoverished Himalayan nation so it can better survive future disasters. A resolution approved by the 193-member world body by consensus urged the international community to support the UN appeal for $415 million for essential needs over the next three months.
It stressed "the massive destruction" caused by the magnitude-7.8 quake that hit April 25, killing more than 8,200 people. That was followed by another magnitude-7.3 quake on Tuesday that killed 117 people and injured 2,800. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the assembly that it is urgent to get aid, including shelter, clean water and sanitation supplies, to all those in need before the monsoon season starts in June.
'Laughter Yoga' In Nepal
(01 of07)
Open Image ModalNepalese children participate in a 'laughter yoga' session to help relieve trauma among survivors of two earthquakes which struck the country in less than three weeks, in Kathmandu on May 15, 2015. (credit:PRAKASH MATHEMA via Getty Images)
(02 of07)
Open Image ModalA Nepalese boy participates in a 'laughter yoga' session to help relieve trauma among survivors of two earthquakes which struck the country in less than three weeks, in Kathmandu on May 15, 2015. (credit:PRAKASH MATHEMA via Getty Images)
(03 of07)
Open Image ModalA Nepalese girl participates in a 'laughter yoga' session to help relieve trauma among survivors of two earthquakes which struck the country in less than three weeks, in Kathmandu on May 15, 2015. (credit:PRAKASH MATHEMA via Getty Images)
(04 of07)
Open Image ModalNepalese children participate in a 'laughter yoga' session to help relieve trauma among survivors of two earthquakes which struck the country in less than three weeks, in Kathmandu on May 15, 2015. (credit:PRAKASH MATHEMA via Getty Images)
(05 of07)
Open Image ModalNepalese children participate in a 'laughter yoga' session to help relieve trauma among survivors of two earthquakes which struck the country in less than three weeks, in Kathmandu on May 15, 2015. (credit:PRAKASH MATHEMA via Getty Images)
(06 of07)
Open Image ModalA Nepalese mother and child participate in a 'laughter yoga' session to help relieve trauma among survivors of two earthquakes which struck the country in less than three weeks, in Kathmandu on May 15, 2015. (credit:PRAKASH MATHEMA via Getty Images)
(07 of07)
Open Image ModalA Nepalese mother and child participate in a 'laughter yoga' session to help relieve trauma among survivors of two earthquakes which struck the country in less than three weeks, in Kathmandu on May 15, 2015. (credit:PRAKASH MATHEMA via Getty Images)
Nepal Hit By Second Major Quake
(01 of11)
Open Image ModalRescue workers stand beside a building that collapsed in an earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, May 12, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Ranup Shrestha)
(02 of11)
Open Image ModalA Nepalese man runs to safety in Kathmandu after a second earthquake hit Nepal, May 12, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Bikram Rai)
(03 of11)
Open Image ModalA Nepalese rescue team inspects the site of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in Kathmandu, May 12, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
(04 of11)
Open Image ModalWomen mourn the death of a family member after a wall collapsed in an earthquake in Danapur, in the Indian state of Bihar, May 12, 2015. (credit:Press Trust of India via AP)
(05 of11)
Open Image ModalNepalese people take refuge on a street after an earthquake hit Kathmandu, May 12, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Bikram Rai)
(06 of11)
Open Image ModalTeams clear debris from the site of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in Kathmandu, May 12, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Ranup Shrestha)
(07 of11)
Open Image ModalA Mexican rescue worker stands at the site of a building that collapsed in an earthquake in Kathmandu, May 12, 2015. (credit: AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)
(08 of11)
Open Image ModalTraffic grinds to a halt after an earthquake hit Nepal in Kathmandu, May 12, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Bikram Rai)
(09 of11)
Open Image ModalA Nepalese woman sits outdoors after another earthquake in Bhaktapur, May 12, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Tashi Sherpa)
(10 of11)
Open Image ModalNepalese people gather in a temporary shelter after another earthquake in Bhaktapur, Nepal, May 12, 2015. (credit:AP Photo/Tashi Sherpa)
(11 of11)
Open Image ModalNepalese people gather in the middle of a road during an earthquake in Bhaktapur, Nepal, May 12, 2015. (credit: AP Photo/Tashi Sherpa)