Nepal Earthquake Relief

One year ago, a huge earthquake struck Nepal. More than 9,000 people lost their lives and over eight million people – almost a third of Nepal’s population – were affected. Over 770,000 homes were damaged, leaving many to face the winter without shelter, warm clothes, food and water.

Thanks to your generous support, ActionAid was able to respond quickly and get emergency relief to those who needed it most. We successfully reached over 118,000 people, providing basic necessities such as food, shelter, and safe places to look after their kids. With more than 40 years’ experience working in Nepal, we were able to mobilize our networks of women and youth in Nepal and provide them with the things they needed to help the most vulnerable people in their communities.

While the rebuilding process is underway, it will be a long road to recovery. To truly rebuild from a disaster like this, we must make sure vulnerable communities are better protected for future disasters and that they are able to hold their government to account so the money and land needed for permanent shelter is made available to them before the cold winter arrives. That’s why ActionAid has committed to a three year minimum response program focusing on women rights, land rights, education, and the reconstruction of homes and livelihoods. By 2018, we aim to reach more than 193,000 people affected by the earthquake.

The long-term recovery effort will ensure women’s safety and dignity by combatting gender based violence, and ensuring their access to public services, education, and land to live and farm on. It will place emphasis on education for children, as well as access to job training and employment for adults which will allow them access to sustainable future income. We will work with communities to construct weather proof housing and prepare them for any future disasters. And we’re also working closely with the Government of Nepal, to make sure that people get the help they need to rebuild their lives.

As in all emergencies, we rely on the community itself to lead the relief efforts and tell us what issues are most important to them. It is with that community learning that we enter our long term recovery work. We also put accountability at the forefront of our work. We have posted transparency boards in local languages at our project locations, which show what services we are providing, where we source our materials, how we are spending money, and provide a space to raise any complaints from the community.

We couldn’t do any of this vital work without your generosity. Thank you for standing in solidarity with the people of Nepal when they need it most.