Earthquake Relief for Disadvantaged in Nepal

Situation Report:

In one of the most devastating earthquakes in the history of Nepal, according to government statistics, over 7000 (as of May 2) have died and more than 14000 injured and above 1 million houses are completely destroyed.  However the exact number is still unknown.  Several villages in parts of the country have fully or partially been destroyed causing extensive loss of human lives.  Per reports, victims are still awaiting rescues teams to reach them  The relief material reaching Nepal from various parts of the world already appears to be inadequate to address the immediate needs created by this calamity.

In many parts of the country (e.g. Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot districts) there is still no power and the drinking water supply is disturbed, including the capital Kathmandu.  This increases conditions for potential outbreaks of disease.  In addition, many dead bodies (people and domestic animals) are around and unburied.  A huge challenge  remains to prevent the likely epidemics and starvation.  

Activities Carried Out by ICA Nepal Team 

On 29 April, while assessing needs, the team distributed 500 bottles of drinking water in the Bhaktapur area. 

On 30 April, 500 more bottles of drinking water were distributed in the Bungamati area, one of the most affected in Kathmandu.

On 1 May, a joint team moved towards Sindhupalchowk with basic food survival packages containing rice, daal, biscuits, noodles and drinking eater.

On 1 May, in the leadership of Ms. Devaka Shrestha, 40 sets of basic food survivial packages were distributed.  Ms Shrestha is(a community leader of Changu Narayan, who has actively participated in social artistry leadership training conducted by ICA Nepal and mobilizing more than 100 women in income generating and community development activities.

On 1 May, another team of ICA Nepal moved to Balaju to help Entire Power for Social Action (EPSA) with 10 sets of the basic food packages.  EPSA is a shelter for differently abled women (women living with physical disabilities).  

On 2 May, a team of ICA Nepal and volunteers of Rotaract Clubs distributed food supplies including blankets, and sanitary materials to some Village Development Committees (Kallerai, Gagan Pani) of Dhading district. Dhading is one the most affected districts. Of 2100 hourses,1800 are completely damaged. See photos with earthquake victims and ICA volunteers with relief materials.  The team assisted 118 households with the basic food survival packages.  

Also, in Jogimara village of the same district, 50 households of Chepang community were distributed the same relief food packages.

These food survival packages consisted of the following items per family:  rice 7 kg, lintels 1 kg, food grain l kg, salt lpcs, cooking oil 1 litre, Bitten rice 1 kg, soybeans 0.5 kg, masala 3 pkts, noodles 1 pkt, 5 spoons, 5 steel plates, 1 plastic jug, 1 plastic bucket.

The ICA Nepal teams will be covering more of the earthquake affected area with the food survival packages and tents.  The visits to affected areas reveal there is more need of the food supplies, water proof tents or at least tarpaulins and water proof mattresses to help these people have some shelter for at least the next 4 to 6 months.

 We acknowledge our donors, friends, welll-wishers and supporters who are lending a hand to provide relief support to the earthquake affected areas.  The damage is so big and thousands of families have been displaced.  Women, children and elders are the most affected groups.

Now the effort is to support with food materials and tarpulins and tents, as it will be at least 4 to 6 months for the reconstruction and recovery activities to make headway.