A 7.8 Richter scale (USGS) devastating earthquake struck Nepal on April 25, 2015 that killed about 8,800 people, displaced millions of people, and caused physical damage worth millions of rupees. Hundreds of subsequent aftershocks including a 7.3 magnitude (USGS) earthquake on May 12 further damaged the already weakened structures and claimed more lives. Just 30 minutes after the 7.3 quake, an aftershock of 6.3 magnitude hit the country. There have been hundreds of aftershocks to date from this event of magnitude 5.0 or higher. Due to all these, the Nepal government declared 14 hard hit districts as the most affected districts.
This is Nepal’s worst earthquake in more than 80 years:
2.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance
864,000 people in hard to reach areas need immediate assistance
8,800+ people killed
17,000+ people injured
700,000+ homes destroyed or damaged
Immediately after the earthquake, CECI Nepal set Earthquake Response Team to provide immediate as well and long term reliefs to the earthquake survivors. CECI Nepal in coordination with District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC) and local NGOs, selected two districts (Sindhupalchowk and Kavrepalanchowk) for providing relief materials. As an immediate relief, CECI Nepal distributed 4,854 tarpaulins, 2,875 packets of food items, 4,083 sets of hygiene kits, 2,875 sets of kitchen utensils, 1,134 water filters, 659 solar lanterns, and 40 basic medicine packets benefitting 22,146 people of 5,015 households in select VDCs of 2 districts. Psychosocial counseling sessions are in continuation in target VDCs of both the districts through local partners. Psychosocial sessions are designed especially for community people, children, women and elderly, who are in trauma and paranoia after the earthquake and repeated aftershocks.
CECI Nepal also carried out post-earthquake and post-relief assessments of 5 most damaged districts, viz: two target districts and three non-target districts (Lalitpur, Dolakha and Dhading) to identify long term needs. Based on the assessment next phase of activities has been chalked out. This includes recovery initiatives focusing on livelihoods, rehabilitation of drinking water and sanitation systems. Similarly, this includes support to earthquake survivors to recover and continue agriculture and livestock businesses.
For all relief materials, funding came from different sources like DFATD/IHA, and CECI's fundraising. Similarly, other corporate supports were also received by CECI.