A. Summary of the response
Five months after being struck by a devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake on 25 April, and a second earthquake of 7.3 magnitude on 12 May, the relief operation has primarily come to an end and has transformed into early recovery with planning well under way for longer term recovery activities. Although the monsoon rains are abating the sudden downpours are still of a serious concern and remain a hazard for the progress of the Movement’s efforts. The Red Cross and Red Crescent continues to provide cash grants to the few remaining relief beneficiaries while water, sanitation, medical care and psychosocial support moves into early recovery to those still recovering from the trauma of the disaster.
Whilst the remnants of relief services continue to be delivered on the ground, preparation of recovery programming is well under way. The IFRC global and regional tools, including emergency response unit (ERU), field assessment and coordination team (FACT), head of emergency operations (HEOps) and regional disaster response team (RDRT), have for the most part handed over to the longer-term recovery structures. Several Partner National Societies (PNSs) are in the process of discussion or finalization of initial recovery plans in line with the Nepal Red Cross Society’s (NRCS) operational framework for recovery either as separate entities or as consortia.