Relief Efforts Underway in Nepalese Communities Ravaged by Earthquake

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As of Monday, humanitarian assistance began to slowly reach the villages of northwestern Nepal, devastated by a potent earthquake over the recent weekend, while residents delved into the debris of their destroyed dwellings to recover any possessions that had survived.

Striking just before the stroke of midnight on Friday, the earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.6, claimed 157 lives, inflicted injuries on numerous individuals, and rendered thousands without shelter. The seismic event, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, originated 11 miles deep (approximately 18 kilometers). The National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center of Nepal pinpointed the quake’s epicenter in Jajarkot, some 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Kathmandu, the nation’s capital.

Efforts intensified on Monday as authorities endeavored to deliver basic necessities, including food, shelter materials, and medical supplies, to the isolated communities, some of which are accessible only on foot, due to landslides obstructing the roads—a direct aftermath of the quake. Military personnel were observed working assiduously to reopen these vital thoroughfares.

Rescue and recovery teams confirmed that their initial task—rescuing those trapped, securing medical attention for the wounded, and locating the deceased—had concluded.

“We have now transitioned to the secondary phase of our operation which includes distributing relief supplies, reaching out with assistance to villagers, and simultaneously compiling detailed reports of the destruction,” stated Harish Chandra Sharma, a government official.

The National Emergency Operation Center in Kathmandu reported the loss of 157 lives, with at least 256 people sustaining injuries, and a count of 3,891 houses suffering damage.

On Monday, the residents of Chepare were seen sifting through the remnants of what once were their homes, in hopes of retrieving anything salvageable.

“Our possessions are buried beneath the debris—our bedding, apparel, any jewelry and cash we had,” Nirmala Sharma lamented as she gestured towards the ruins of her house.

She recalled receiving a tent and some provisions the preceding Sunday evening. The local authorities had distributed essentials like rice, oil, noodles, and salt to the villagers, sufficient for a few days.

Temporary refuge came in the form of tarpaulins and plastic sheets for some, while thousands faced another night exposed to the elements.

Mina Bika recounted the harrowing experience of the earthquake: “The roof collapsed while we were asleep, burying us under. Thankfully, a family member came to our rescue.” Following the incident, her husband, who sustained severe injuries, was transported to a hospital in Surkhet, while she and her sons escaped with minor injuries.

“It seemed as if the entire world had crumbled, and I doubted if we had any survivors to call upon for assistance,” she expressed.

Most structures in the affected districts of Jajarkot and Rukum—comprised mainly of stone and log constructions—were either annihilated or incurred significant damage, including the few that were made of concrete.

Following a Cabinet assembly on Sunday, Communications Minister Rekha Sharma emphasized that the government’s immediate concerns were to ensure food security and erect provisional shelters, while also formulating plans for the reconstruction of the affected homes.

The tremors from Friday night’s quake were felt as far away as India’s capital, New Delhi, over 800 kilometers (500 miles) distant.

Nepal, a nation characterized by its mountainous terrain, is no stranger to earthquakes. A cataclysmic quake in 2015 of 7.8 magnitude resulted in approximately 9,000 fatalities and caused damage to nearly 1 million buildings.

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This report was enriched by contributions from Upendra Man Singh of Big Big News, reporting from Jajarkot, Nepal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nepal earthquake relief

More about Nepal earthquake relief

• US Geological Survey Earthquake Information
• Nepal National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center
• National Emergency Operation Center, Nepal
• Earthquake Reconstruction in Nepal
• Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal
• Aid Distribution Efforts in Earthquake-hit Nepal