It’s been six months since the first of two huge earthquakes devastated Nepal.
The disaster destroyed over 600,000 homes and left millions of Nepalese people in need of urgent humanitarian aid.
Oxfam had an overwhelming response to help fund the massive relief effort. In the last six months, Oxfam emergency teams and the people of Nepal have been working hard to rebuild — thanks to our incredible Oxfam supporters. Here’s what we’ve achieved together so far:
Clean water
More than 35,000 people have accessed clean water, including 48 community water systems being repaired or installed.
Here, Sushila and Deepak collect clean water from an Oxfam tank. The tank supplies ten households in the village of Burunchili, where only 25 of its 200 houses were left standing. Oxfam supplied the village with clean water, toilets and hygiene kits.
Secure shelter
Oxfam distributed 54,100 shelter kits and provided training to local builders and women in how to build more secure shelters.
Sangita (pictured), 18, learns to build a safe, temporary shelter in Sindhupalchok district. Sangita and her team have built 26 corrugated iron shelters so far. “On one hand I can do something productive for earthquake affected community people in my area. On the other, it’s a unique skill I have gathered as I can construct a house whenever there’s a need,” said Sangita.
Sanitation and hygiene
Oxfam installed 7,911 toilets, distributed 49,200 hygiene kits and hosted 700 hygiene promotion events.
Man (pictured), 12, is happy to have access to a proper toilet, installed by Oxfam in the village of Burunchili in August. Having a clean toilet, soap and clean water for hand-washing, are crucial to prevent disease, particularly when many people live together after a disaster.
Supporting livelihoods
33,600 farmers received seeds to replant lost crops and lost or destroyed agricultural tools were replaced .
Radhika (pictured), 25, works her small field with tools from Oxfam. Radhika, her husband and their five-year-old son lost their house, cattle shed and toilet and now live in a temporary shelter with their in-laws. Oxfam has provided her with farming tools and a hygiene kit.
Additionally, 918 households also received cash to help clear debris — helping the recovery effort whilst giving people the chance to earn an income again.
Dil Maya Sunar (pictured second from right) helped clear the debris from a collapsed school block. “We generally work on the farm but this time, the earthquake swept away our land where we would grow corn, and I’ve nothing else to do,” said Dil Maya. She worked for 15 days under Oxfam’s Cash for Work Programme.
As you can see, there are now thousands of individuals — mothers, fathers, farmers and school children — who are now rebuilding. In total, Oxfam has helped 445,687 people so far to recover from the Nepal earthquakes. To learn more about our recovery effort, read the most recent Nepal emergency update.
Nepal still needs your help
Many families still rely on humanitarian aid in Nepal and it will take years for them to recover fully.
Kali Bayalkoti (pictured), 56, lives in a temporary shelter and is worried about winter.“We somehow survived the monsoon but can’t endure the winter if we do not get warm clothes and blankets,” said Kali. It’s estimated that 81,000 households are in need of support to survive the winter season.
Our Nepal response is not yet fully funded. Please donate and help continue the recovery effort in Nepal today.
