Kathmandu, May 18 (RHC)-- Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala has appealed for $2 billion in aid to rebuild the South Asian country hit by two massive earthquakes recently. on Sunday, Koirala announced the establishment of a national rehabilitation and reconstruction fund, calling on donors to help.

"Our target is to raise $2 billion. Government has earmarked $200 million as a seed money for the fund with a request to donor communities and private sector to make necessary contribution," the Nepalese premier told reporters in the capital Kathmandu.

Over 20 countries have reportedly been involved in relief efforts in the quake-shattered country. The Nepalese prime minister further noted that 58 foreigners had died in the two earthquakes that happened over the past three weeks.

On April 25, a tremor measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit Nepal, killing thousands and destroying over half a million homes, making it the country's deadliest quake in more than 80 years.

On May 12, a second 7.3-magnitude temblor also struck the Himalayan country, claiming the lives of dozens and triggering landslides in the affected areas. According to the latest figures released by Nepal's Home Ministry, the death toll from the two quakes currently stands at 8,583.