RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND HUMANITARIAN PRIORITIES
A preliminary identification of severity across VDCs highlights the mountainous belt as particularly vulnerable. In addition, VDCs with high severity levels are concentrated in the inaccessible areas in Kavre, east of Kathmandu. Sindhuli, Makawanpur and Okhladunga record much lower severity as compared to the northern districts. The Government has declared that the emergency relief phase is over and the recovery phase started on 22 June. The recovery phase is guided by the results of the PDNA and accompanying International Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction on 25 June, during which the international community pledged two-thirds to the USD 6.66 billion appeal by the Government. However, humanitarian actors stress that humanitarian needs remain, including in districts outside of the 14 priority districts, such as Solukhumbu.
The monsoon season started on 13 June. Landslides have already occurred in several VDCs in Gorkha, and Tatopani areas in Sindhupalchok. Heavy rains will compound existing needs and logistical access, and hamper recovery from the earthquakes.
Most people have not started repair and reconstruction of damaged houses ranging from 94% of the assessed households in Gorkha to 53% in Dhading. Professional debris management and demolition is an urgent need, as are inputs and labour.
Food insecurity in the immediate and medium term is of high concern. The widespread destruction to seed stocks and tools has impacted people’s ability to harvest, sell, and plant their crop. Livestock, which contribute significantly to food security and livelihoods in the most affected areas, are at risk due to the lack of shelter, adequate food stocks, shelters, and veterinary services.
Population movements are ongoing and expected to increase in areas at risk of landslides, either in the form of preventive relocation (on 30 June the Government announced 56 settlements, hosting 13,000 HH have been identified for relocation within 15 days) or as a direct result of landslides. WASH, shelter and education standards are particularly low in spontaneous settlements, with access to services and basic needs below Sphere standards.
Support to rebuilding of the health infrastructure is a priority need, including the strengthening of rehabilitation services for those injured and disabled in the earthquake, mental health services to address widespread trauma, and prevention of outbreaks.
