Above all else, Nepal needs more helicopters to help stranded citizens

Since we arrived here in the days after the earthquake, it was very clear just what a logistical challenge the aid operation faced. This is a mountainous country, and while it was easy to assess the situation in Kathmandu it is much more difficult to get an idea of what is happening on higher ground.

In some parts attempting any journey of more than a few miles is almost impossible by road. As a result of landslides many mountain towns have been completely cut off. That has made helping the injured impossible and also stopped any food or medical equipment getting through.

Over the past days, hundreds of sorties have been flown to get support in but the scale is such that more helicopters are needed.

That is why, despite help from a dozen or so countries already, the Nepalese have asked for more helicopters.

This morning cameraman Mark Davey and I flew with the Indian Airforce on one of their aid missions as part of the appropriately named Operation Friendship. In an MI17 fully loaded with rice we made the flight to the east of the country and a town called Lamabagr. The pilot told me it would take a month to get there by land. It took us just half an hour.

As we approached a queue of people were already pushing against the fence of the landing compound seeking either some of the rice or a lift out. For people who have been unable to get food for days they were incredibly calm, waiting to see the previous cargo being unloaded.

And for a lucky dozen, being young, old or frail was the ticket out to a nearby town with more services.

These people are neither starving nor dehydrated but they are trapped and help from the skies is their only supply line.

With more helicopters more people can be helped. The UK has now pledged three chinooks and is contributing to the UN's Humanitarian Airforce. More countries will be offering additional air support too. The helicopters will be crucial in helping the Nepalese help themselves.