November 7, 2023, Kathmandu Nepal - CARE Nepal is responding to the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal on November 3, 2023, providing immediate relief and support to the affected communities. The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.4 caused significant damage in the Karnali, Sudurpaschim, and Lumbini provinces, with Jajarkot and Rukum West districts being most affected. As of November 6, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) have reported over 150 casualties and 250 injuries with massive damage to infrastructures.
CARE Nepal is working closely with government and local partners to assess the needs of the affected communities and provide immediate relief assistance. CARE has distributed essential immediate relief supplies including inclusive shelter kits, winterization kits, hygiene kits, dignity kits, as well as health and nutritional provisions, ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook foods, and kitchen utensils. Additionally, CARE Nepal will be providing psychosocial counseling through its expert partners to help people cope with the trauma caused by this disaster.
“CARE Nepal is committed to provide immediate relief and support to the communities affected by this disaster along with mid and long-term support in the rehabilitation of the affected communities. Our primary focus will be on the needs of women, girls, and individuals with disabilities.”, Mona Sherpa, CARE Nepal Country Director says. “We also need to take into account the likelihood of gender-based violence (GBV) as well as an outbreak of communicable diseases, cold-related ailments, and waterborne diseases in the coming days due to onset of winter and damaged infrastructures, including latrines, while designing our long-term response efforts. These challenges further highlight the importance of a rapid and effective response to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the affected communities” Sherpa adds.
CARE Nepal, in partnership with the Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP) secretariat, local partners, NGOs, INGOs and government authorities, is actively coordinating efforts to gather detailed data on the urgent needs of those affected by the earthquake. CARE Nepal will also conduct Rapid Gender Analysis (RGA) for better and targeted response considering the specific needs of women and girls. With the severity of the situation, especially with the onset of winter, CARE Nepal is dedicated to address the immediate needs of the survivors.
Along with various stakeholders, CARE Nepal is actively coordinating with the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC), NGO Federation, Security Forces, local authorities, Mayors, Information Officers, and the Red Cross to closely monitor and assess the developing situation in the affected regions. CARE Nepal and its partners are committed to stand by the affected communities during this challenging time while mobilizing resources and expertise to provide support, relief, and help in the recovery efforts.