On 25 April, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Central and Western Regions of Nepal. Just three weeks later, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, worsening conditions for communities affected by the first earthquake. The earthquakes and the series of aftershocks left nearly 9,000 dead and impacted the lives of 8 million people, including 3.2 million children. With more than 600,000 houses totally damaged, millions of people were displaced in the aftermath of the earthquakes.
In the last six months, Plan International has raised nearly €20 million to help 255,120 individuals, including 106,739 children impacted by the earthquakes in Nepal. Plan International’s response in Nepal focused on 6 key sectoral areas: Education in Emergencies; Child Protection in Emergencies; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs); Health; and Food Security and Livelihoods.
Immediately after the April earthquake, Plan International undertook a Rapid Needs Assessment, covering the districts of Sindhupalchowk, Sindhuli, Dolakha, Kavrepalanchok, Makwanpur, Tanahu, Baglung, Ramechhap and six camps around the Kathmandu Valley. Together with other organisations, Plan International also conducted consultations with children to gather young survivor’s feedback and determine their priorities as communities recover from the disaster. Following on from the Rapid Needs Assessment, Plan International responded by distributing emergency lifesaving shelter material – consisting of tarpaulins and ropes – and food packs, comprising of 20kg rice, 3kg pulse, oil, salt, sugar and other spices, enough to support a family of five for one week – to thousands of earthquake-affected families across the 14 priority districts designated by the Government of Nepal.
Plan International has supported children and their families in Nepal through the provision of emergency shelter, food and water and immediate access to temporary learning centres and protection spaces. We have placed particular focus on children, girls and women from marginalised communities who live in remote and hard-to-reach mountainous communities.