Disaster Response Nepal Project #20448

Emergency Packages for Earthquake Survivors

Project Report | Oct 26, 2016
Final report: Support for earthquake survivors

By Andreas Jagersberger | Communications

Earthquake-proof reconstruction work

Initial situation
The two devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal on 25^th April 2015 (magnitude 7.8 on Richter scale) and on 12^th May 2015 (magnitude 7.3 on Richter scale), as well as a series of strong aftershocks continuing for over a month have caused severe damage and human loss. Almost eight million people, almost one third of Nepal’s population, have been impacted by these tragic events. Overall, 8.898 people have been confirmed dead, 22.309 have been injured. More than 500,000 private houses, 2,600 public buildings as well as 30,000 educational and class rooms were destroyed.

31 of the country’s 75 districts have been affected out of which 14 were severely hit. District Sindhupalchowk, in which Caritas Austria implemented a majority of its earthquake-related projects, is considered as one of the most severely hit districts. In total 1.4 million people were in need of urgent support, additional 1.6 million people were in need of food aid.

Emergency aid
After the severe earthquakes and aftershocks the emergency aid of Caritas Austria and the Caritas network on-site ran at full capacity to support the victims: 10,000 hygiene kits, 2,000 tarpaulins, 16,700 water purification tablets as well as 40,000 pieces of soap were distributed. During the first emergency relief phase – the first weeks and months after the earthquakes – Caritas Austria reached and supported up to 43,000 people with food, shelter materials, hygiene kits and medicines.

Since monsoon season approached a high priority was to provide safe shelter for those who lost their homes as a result of the earthquakes. In cooperation with Caritas Germany and with funds from the Austrian-wide donation campaign “Nachbar in Not” (neighbor in need) Caritas Austria bought and distributed 1,000 tents which among other things were used as school-tents.

In cooperation with the local organization PHASE and Caritas Nepal we also provided bundles of corrugated metal sheets forevery household in Hagam, Fulpingdanda, Kadambas, and Jalbire. This was an important support for the victims and ensured the preliminary reconstruction of those houses and buildings damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. More than 4,200 households could be aided in this way. In addition nearly 5,500 households in those areas were provided with shelter kits consisting of blankets, sleeping mats and WASH-kits (water, sanitation, and hygiene).

During winter Caritas Austria and its partners on-site distributed additional CGI-sheets, solar lights and much needed warm blankets to more than 470 households in Tauthali, Sindhupalchowk.

Long-term support
After the emergency aid the international Caritas network and all its partners are implementing much needed long-term measures including livelihood rehabilitation and support in the reconstruction of the many destroyed private houses, public and school buildings. This happens with strong involvement of the local community. Together with our partners on-site we are training the local people in rebuilding houses and class rooms in an earthquake-proof manner. This doesn’t only give them valuable skill sets for their future but also gives them the opportunity to participate in cash-for-work programs and gain money for their families.

In our aim to rehabilitate the livelihood of the people affected by the earthquake Caritas is supporting them also at the agricultural sector, providing seeds and animal feed. This support will help people to regain more independence and to be able to take care of their families’ needs.

Caritas Austria is continuing its cooperation with its local partners in Nepal for the Nepal Earthquake Response program. After the closure of the emergency response phase, the major focus of our work is to enable the communities to rebuild their lost assets and livelihoods. Still NGOs operating in Nepal are facing multiple challenges in doing their work and support those who need help.

We are engaged in capacity building of the communities in shelter reconstruction. As initial part of this process, our partners have developed manuals, education materials and ten earthquake resistant techniques, which are used for orienting communities on the shelter reconstruction.

In cooperation with its partner PHASE Caritas Austria has initiated the reconstruction of the public school in the Hagam area of Sindhupalchowk District. We are in the process of developing the master plan and designs for further approvals from the Government. Earthquake has affected the livelihood of the communities in a large manner and we are in the process of setting up livelihood programs with two of our local partners in Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk. In response to newly emerging immediate needs we are also supporting the people affected by the recent floods and landslides in various parts of Nepal.

Reconstruction work is still running

Links:

Caritas Austria supports earthquake survivors in Nepal

Permalink

May 23, 2016
Rebuilding progress and livelihood rehabilitation

By Andreas Jagersberger | Caritas Austria Communications

Thankful children back at school

Initial position
The two devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal in April and May 2015, as well as a series of strong aftershocks continuing for over a month have caused severe damage and human loss. It is estimated that the lives of about eight million people, almost one third of Nepal’s population, have been impacted. Overall, close to 9,000 people have been confirmed dead, more than 22,000 have been injured.

31 of the country’s 75 districts have been affected out of which 14 were severely hit. More than 500,000 private houses and 2,600 public buildings have been totally destroyed. In total 30,000 class rooms were destroyed or broken so the children couldn’t attempt their classes.

Rebuilding progress
One year after the emergency relief – during we supported 43,000 people with food, shelter materials, hygiene kits and medicines as well as provided 5,700 temporary school tents for children so they could continue their education – we are still supporting the victims of the devastating earthquakes in rebuilding private houses and schools. Due to the reconstruction progress the people in the project area will benefit also by gaining valuable skills in earthquake-resistant construction methods and earning much needed money thanks to the implementation of the Cash-for-Work principle.

Due to domestic political conflicts starting at the end of 2015 the supply chain stuttered over a few months, which slowed down the rebuilding progress because of the lack of building materials. Therefor our main focus is still to rebuild private houses and educational establishments, so the children can get back to their normal daily routine in school and continue their education. Together with our local partners we are training the local people in rebuilding houses and class rooms earthquake-proof. Further we are supporting them in building water installations and sanitary facilities.

Livelihood rehabilitation
In our aim to rehabilitate the livelihood of the Nepalese people Caritas is supporting them also at the agricultural sector, providing seeds and animal feed. Further the Caritas network is providing special trainings which are a big part of catastrophe precautions in the region as well as child protection.

Caritas Austria is working in close collaboration with experienced local partners. Besides the longtime partnership with Caritas Nepal there is also a strong cooperation with Nepalese organizations PHASE Nepal and Rural Reconstruction Nepal RRN.

Since the end of March 2015 Sunil Simon is representing Caritas Austria on-site as new consultant. He is supporting our local partners in the planning and realization progresses of our projects in the region and helps us to provide the help that is needed.

Learning earthquake-proof construction methods

Permalink

Feb 22, 2016
Winter Support for Earthquake Survivors

By Martina Maetzl | Project Coordinator Nepal

Nepalese woman receiving her support-kit

31 of the country’s 75 districts have been affected out of which 14 were severely hit. District Sindhupalchowk, in which Caritas Austria is implementing a majority of its earthquake-related projects, is considered as one of the most severely hit districts.

43.000 people supported
During the first weeks and months after the earthquakes Caritas Austria reached and supported 43.000 people with food, shelter materials, hygiene kits and medicines. Thanks to temporary school tents, 5,700 children were able to pursue their education in a secure environment.

The reconstruction of the compound wall of the Mary Ward School (a partner Caritas Austria has supported for many years) was an important contribution to the safety and security of the 375 children.

Winter support
During December 2015 and January 2016 Caritas Austria was able to distribute CGI-sheets, solar lights and much needed warm blankets for the cold winter season to more than 470 households in Tauthali, Sindhupalchowk. The whole community of Tauthali was very active in taking part and facilitating the distributions and all people were happy to receive the extra support to get through the cold winter-months.

Back to school
Nearly all educational establishments in the project area were severely or completely damaged and are in need of retrofitting or rebuilding. This project will thus also rebuild 40 completely destroyed classrooms and retrofit 30 partially destroyed classrooms using earthquake resistant construction methods. Additionally and in order to offer appropriate hygiene standards, 5 toilets and 5 water supply systems will be rebuilt. 1,750 children will have access to a structured school day/rhythm. The principle of Cash for Work will be applied here again involving the parents of the school children. They will be instructed by a qualified team, experts in earthquake-resistant construction methods. They will benefit by gaining valuable skills and earning much needed money.

Target group

- 1.750 direct beneficiaries (school children)
- 125 beneficiaries for Cash for Work activities

Permalink

1 2 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can recieve an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.