Overview
On 25 April, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake racked Nepal. A second major earthquake of 7.3 magnitude struck on 12 May 2015, causing further death, injuries and devastation among the affected population. The two earthquakes together have claimed over 8 000 lives and injured more than 16 000.
A total of 35 districts have been affected, 14 severely: Gorkha, Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok, Kavre, Nuwakot, Dolakha, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Ramechhap, Okhaldunga, Sindhuli and Makwanpur. As of 11 May, more than 1,000 health facilities, predominantly village health posts, had been assessed by the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) as being totally or partially damaged.
Twenty-five hospitals have been damaged (six completely and 19 partially).
The MoHP continues to lead the Health Cluster with co-leadership from WHO. Ongoing priorities include:
Treatment of the injured, including the provision of rehabilitation services
Rapid restoration of health services, including the bolstering of reproductive health, child health and mental health services
Provision of logistical support (delivery and distribution of medical supplies, tents etc)
Strengthening of surveillance and contingency planning for communicable and vector-borne diseases in preparation for the monsoon period
Consolidation of assessments to ensure coverage of areas beyond district centres