A virtual reality film aims to help raise funds for survivors of April's earthquake in Nepal by giving viewers a first-hand experience of the disaster's aftermath.

Los Angeles-based company RYOT - which produces news stories for audiences to act on - shot the footage in the days following the 7.8 magnitude quake which struck the impoverished nation on April 25, killing more than 8,000 people.

"We just launched the film last week and have already raised several thousand dollars. We hope to raise many more. The funds are being used to support some incredible organisations working on the ground, some international non-profits that have gone over to help, but also some local organisations that helped rebuild," said RYOT co-founder David Darg.

The four minute film, which is narrated by actress Susan Sarandon, attempts to transport people to the Himalayan nation to be fully immersed amongst the destruction and understand the plight of survivors.

When seen in this medium, viewers will feel like they are standing in the rubble and living through the experiences of the survivors who have lost their families, homes and livelihoods.

Aid agencies say the international community's response to the disaster has slowed in recent weeks, even though at least two million people are in need of food, water, shelter and proper sanitation facilities.