2023 Nepal Earthquake
On November 3, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck a remote part of northwestern Nepal. Thus far, the deadly earthquake has killed at least 157 people and injured more than165.
Heather Campbell, Save the Children Country Director for Nepal and Bhutan said: "The situation in Jajarkot and Rukum West is dire – the latest death toll is 157 and number of injured 166*. These are residential areas so children are likely among these tragic figures.
"The earthquake has also damaged thousands of homes and forced people into tents, or worse, under the open sky. These are freezing temperatures, with snow on its way, and children are at risk of pneumonia and other health conditions. Adding to this, there is a lack of drinking water and food, and local hospitals and health facilities are overcrowded.
"When it comes to disasters like this, it is children who are most vulnerable. These communities desperately need shelter, warm clothes and blankets, clean water, food and first aid but with roads damaged due to landslides, this will be a challenge."
Save the Children has sent a response team with hygiene kits and high altitude shelter kits, and more response efforts are being planned in co-ordination with provincial and local governments and other humanitarian organizations.
2015 Nepal Earthquake
On April 25, 2015 a magnitude-7.8 earthquake hit Nepal. It was the largest earthquake in Nepal in 80 years. Less than three weeks later, on Tuesday, May 12, another earthquake measuring 7.3 struck the already devastated country. Together, the two earthquakes caused the deaths of nearly 9,000 people and injured nearly 22,000 more.
Whenever a disaster strikes children are the most vulnerable and this disaster was no different. According to government estimates, the earthquakes completely destroyed over 600,000 homes, partially destroyed 280,000 homes and displaced about 3.2 million children. More than 1,200 health facilities were destroyed, thousands of schools had to be rebuilt and 2 million people were left in urgent need of water, sanitation and hygiene support. Following the earthquake, children were left scared and without the proper healthcare and resources to help them.
Save the Children’s Response to the 2015 Earthquake in Nepal
- Provided vital aid to 580,000 people, including 352,000 children.
- Established a shelter program to provide shelter to 416,998 people, including distributing 15,615 family shelter kits and 59,251 tarpaulins.
- Reached 51,862 children with temporary learning spaces.
- Helped protect 25,461 children from harm.
- Reached 416,998 people with water, sanitation and hygiene activities, water jugs and water treatment kits.
- Created child-friendly spaces for children experiencing trauma.
- Screened children and nursing mothers for malnutrition and provided food to 65,953 people.
- Built 23 earthquake-safe schools, including 176 classrooms that will be able to accommodate 3,500 children.
- Helped families get the essential they needed by distributing 15,836 household kits, and 25,025 kitchen sets.
- Distributed 26,827 baby blankets to infants.
- Helped 61,295 beneficiaries rebuild homes through grants of corrugated, galvanized iron sheets or cash grants.
- Reached 77,250 beneficiaries who needed winter support.
- Worked with the government to construct 1,603 houses.
- Provided 7-day Mason Training classes to 1,541 local masons to ensure safer shelter construction.
- Provided 40-day vocational training and tools to over 200 participants to enhance the skills of community masons in the construction of earthquake-resistant building techniques.
- Supported 2,850 households through cash-for-work programs and 3,665 households through restricted cash support with a focus on livelihoods.
- Provided cash support to 468 community-based entrepreneurs to start group enterprises that benefited their communities, such as producing compressed, stabilized earth blocks as an alternative to bricks.
- Helped initiate 56 village saving and loan associations to sustain and grow local businesses.
- Trained 9,500 individuals in micro-enterprise development and livelihood skills such as goat raising and beekeeping.
- Built 18 semi-permanent health posts that have been handed over to government districts.
- Built 17 Health Facility Outreach Centers that have been handed over to the communities. The government and community health facilities will serve more than 70,000 people.
Stories from Survivors of the Nepal Earthquake
Back to School After the Nepal Earthquake
When the earthquake struck Alisha’s village, her life was turned upside down. She survived the massive disaster, but her road to recovery will be a long one. Like so many kids her age living in impoverished communities in Nepal, going to school is a bright spot in her life. The opportunity to learn and be with friends gives children hope for the future and a chance at a better life. When Alisha’s school was destroyed by the earthquake, her educational dreams came crashing down. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Save the Children’s emergency teams worked with the community to build a Temporary Learning Center where she was able to continue her studies.
One Child's Recovery From the Nepal Earthquake
When the deadly earthquake struck Nepal, little Bikalpa’s world came crashing down around him. He was trapped beneath the rubble of his collapsed home until his father was finally able to rescue him hours later. Physically he recovered, but Bikalpa became withdrawn, rain scared him and most nights he woke up crying. With the support of our donors, caring professionals at our child-friendly space helped him cope with the traumatic experience that he could get back to being himself.