It’s been six months since Nepal was devastated by two powerful earthquakes
The first earthquake killed over 9,000 people and injured more than 23,000. It was the worst natural disaster Nepal had faced since 1934, when the Nepal-Bihar earthquake struck and killed over 10,000 people.
The earthquake left hundreds of thousands homeless and flattened entire villages.
But the bad news didn’t stop there – on 12 May 2015, a major aftershock struck, killing more than 200 and injuring more than 2,500.
Some of the most pressing needs in response to this disaster have been the assurance of clean water access and the promotion of safe hygiene.
The two earthquakes caused heavy damage to water supply lines, leaving over one million people without clean drinking water and at risk of deadly waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery.
Some 1.4 million people still need food assistance, and one million people need support to restore their livelihoods. Thousands of children under five years old, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are at risk of malnutrition. Nearly one million children are still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, with those left homeless by the earthquake especially vulnerable.
It will take a long time to return to normal life for the people of Nepal …
But thanks to generous Australians like you, hundreds of thousands of people have been provided life-saving assistance
Nearly 7.5 million water purification tablets have been distributed so that children and families are not forced to choose between thirst and sickness from drinking contaminated water.
Community water supplies have been restored, and 22 water systems have been constructed or renovated ensuring clean drinking water for over 100,000 people.
“It has been very helpful as we don’t have to travel for one hour to get water anymore,” says Pratikchya – a young girl living in Nepal.
Children like Pratikchya use the new taps every day. Now, her family has clean water for drinking, cooking and washing.
In addition to the assurance of clean water access, your support has provided emergency relief supplies including food and shelter to survivors.
To date, over 200,000 people have been provided:
- ·over 30,000 tarps;
- ·over 53,000 bedding materials;
- ·over 21,000 mosquito nets; and
- ·over 14,000 hygiene kits.
In addition, food packages have been given to over 1,600 families.
Nepal says thank you
Thanks to your support, the immediate and long-term needs of those most affected continue to be met. You’ve helped the people of Nepal recover and rebuild their lives.
In the coming months your funds will be used to:
- distribute shelter kits;
- train families to construct sustainable shelter for the upcoming winter;
- support the reconstruction of schools and health facilities;
- reconstruct water systems and household toilets;
- provide hygiene training; and
- improve incomes by rehabilitating irrigation systems, supporting community vegetable gardens and forming savings groups.
You responded immediately after the first earthquake struck, helping Nepalese children and families get back on their feet and potentially saving lives. You helped the survivors build back stronger, so that families and communities are more resilient and less vulnerable to the impacts of future disasters.
Nepal’s future
World Vision Australia ceased calling for donations to the Nepal Earthquake Appeal in late October 2015.
In November 2015, World Vision’s work in Nepal enters the Recovery Phase. During the Recovery Phase, your support will help communities build resilience and restore safety.
By supporting our work, you will respond to emergency needs and empower people with the skills and opportunities to sustain themselves. You will foster social inclusion and gender equality in Nepalese communities for long-term change.
You can support World Vision Australia’s emergency work around the world by becoming an Emergency Responder. Your support enables World Vision to pre-stock and position life-saving supplies, and ensures trained staff can be on the scene quickly when emergencies occur in developing countries.
Your decision to take action continues to create positive change for those who lost so much
For standing in solidarity with the people of Nepal …
For providing children and families with much-needed relief and hope for the future …
And for raising over $7 million in funds to help make this work possible …
Nepal says thank you.