SITUATION OVERVIEW
On April 25th, at 11:41 am local time, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 50 miles northwest of Kathmandu, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Tremors were felt across northern India and neighboring Bangladesh and Pakistan.On May 12th at 12:50 local time, a second earthquake struck with a magnitude of 7.3 causing further significant damage and further loss of life. Powerful aftershocks continued for hours, including 5.6 and 6.3 magnitude tremors with epicenters in Sindhupalchowk and Ramechhap districts. According to the Government, a total of 32 districts were affected, including those still recovering from the 25 April earthquake.
Humanitarian agencies recorded cases of psychosocial trauma in affected communities. Additional mental health support services are needed. Coordination of debris management activities is reported to be an issue in all affected VDCs. This includes appropriate and safe demolition of destroyed or damaged structures.
LWR’S RESPONSE
LWR has been working in partnership with local partners COPPADES and SSICDC to provide Corrugated Galvanized Iron (CGI) sheets or equivalent cash value toward temporary shelter, which is particularly important as the monsoon season is underway.
Soybean seeds are also being distributed to support recovery of agricultural livelihoods and food security after the monsoon.
LWR is working with farmers groups to implement a cash for work program, focused on repairing roads throughout the rural areas, which will provide families with an infusion of cash to purchase immediate needs while also improving road conditions, one of the major barriers to quick delivery of goods in the affected areas.
In coordination with the United Nations, LWR shipped 9,240 Quilts, 1,000 Personal Care Kits and 100 water filtration units from LWR’s prepositioned stock at the UNHRD Warehouse in Dubai. These items arrived in Kathmandu on May 11 and have been distributed in partnership with Lutheran World Federation in the Kathmandu Valley and by LWR in Lamjung District. The majority of the community water filtration units will be utilized in schools supported by FinnChurchAid.
As an immediate response, LWR distributed in partnership with our long term partner COPPADES, 2,914 food packs containing rice, sugar, lentils, salt, and oil, each pack sufficient for 15 days of consumption for a family of 5, and 4,600 tarpaulins benefiting 3,973 families or 20,484 individuals.
LWR’s Technical Advisor for Emergency Capacity Building completed a 2 day training with COPPADES staff on quality and accountability during emergencies.
LWR’s funding commitment is over $2 million for this response and we continue to actively fundraise to expand our reach to more communities in need of assistance.
LWR has released the Earthquake Response Interim Strategy, which outlines our comprehensive plans for a two-year response period with a focus on food security, shelter, early recovery & livelihoods, and disaster risk reduction.