On 25 April 2015, Nepal was struck by a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake that left nearly 9,000 people dead and destroyed or damaged more than 850,000 homes. Many of the affected people have received some support from the Government of Nepal and aid organizations, but others are still waiting for assistance. The government’s response has been beset by delays, and for the past month the country has been in the grip of a fuel crisis.
As well as destroying and damaging homes, the earthquake also severely impacted employment, and six months on many are still struggling to find work, while those who do often report that their incomes are below pre-earthquake levels. Women, children, the elderly, ethnic minorities, those disadvantaged by the caste system and people living with disabilities have all been disproportionately affected by the earthquake and its aftermath. The problem of landlessness, widespread before the quake, has also worsened.
As winter approaches, the situation needs to be urgently addressed and recovery and reconstruction put back on track. This joint-agency media briefing summarizes the current situation and the challenges to be overcome as the effort continues.
Keywords: Earthquake, disaster response, reconstruction, recovery, sustainable livelihoods, land rights, Nepal, natural disaster