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DENVER – As the situation in Nepal gets worse following Saturday’s deadly earthquake, Coloradans are stepping up to help.

“We’ll be doing mostly search and rescue,” Chris Williams tells FOX31.

Williams will spend the next 11 days in Nepal. More than 5,000 people have been confirmed dead. Officials say that number could double after rescuers and aid workers search the remaining rubble.

Major aid programs are deploying crews to help in the region. Williamson is volunteering on his own though. He spent 15 years working in disaster management around the world, including relief efforts for 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. He says what survivors need the most right now is hope.

“A big hug,” Williams says, “Simple things like that. Or handing a child a piece of candy. Obviously we’re doing more than that, but those things make a huge difference.”

Experts suggest if anyone wants to help Nepalese survivors, the best thing to do is to stay home and donate to a reputable charity instead.