In Maide Village of Bheri Municipality-1 in Jajarkot District, Janaki Rana, a 17-year-old, had recently completed her Secondary Education Examination (SEE). Life had been a harmonious symphony of normalcy and contentment, with the family finding joy in their agricultural pursuits. Janaki shared her home with her mother and elder sister, who recently, had embraced the role of a new mother.In Maide Village of Bheri Municipality-1 in Jajarkot District, Janaki Rana, a 17-year-old, had recently completed her Secondary Education Examination (SEE). Life had been a harmonious symphony of normalcy and contentment, with the family finding joy in their agricultural pursuits. Janaki shared her home with her mother and elder sister, who recently, had embraced the role of a new mother.
The tranquil rhythm of their lives was shattered on the fateful night of November 3, 2023. At around 11:45 PM, the entire house quivered violently, jolting the family from their peaceful slumber. Bewildered and disoriented, they grappled with the chaos unfolding around them. The reality soon struck them — an earthquake! The tremors persisted for agonizing minutes, followed by aftershocks in the subsequent days. Janaki says, "Miraculously, the family survived, but our home was severely damaged and now it is unsafe and uninhabitable. Our family is sleeping beneath the open sky." However, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of assistance that arrived promptly the next day. Tents, food, and blankets were provided by the Hilly Region Development Center (HRDC) and CARE Nepal, extending a lifeline to the family. She adds, "We are grateful for the kindness bestowed upon us during this challenging period. But with winter rapidly approaching, I am anxious about how long we can endure in the tents. I’m very worried as to when we can re-build and secure a safe return to our home."
The uncertainty of when they could rebuild adds to Janaki's concerns. Despite having some food supplies, the pressing need for a secure and warm shelter weighs heavily on their minds.
Mina Pun, 20, a mother, says, “Although we are grateful for the food, tents, blankets, and hygiene items we received, it is still challenging for us and our children as winter has set in. The distributed items helped us fulfil our immediate needs, but it is not enough to survive for this winter. We are in urgent need of warm clothes for our small children, safe shelter, water supply, separate toilet, bathing spaces for our girls, children, and mother of newborns.”
In the face of adversity, both Janaki and Mina hope for a swift recovery and the opportunity to rebuild not only their house but also their lives.