26 October, 2015 | by Doctors of the World UK
The earthquakes that shook Nepal in April and May this year destroyed the lives of thousands of people and devastated the country’s infrastructure. Six months on, with winter approaching, Nepal continues to confront the challenges of reconstruction.
"Life has not returned to normal in Nepal," says Dr Françoise Sivignon, president of Doctors of the World France. “People continue to live in hardship, as most have not yet been able to rebuild their homes.”
Since the earthquakes hit on 25 April and 12 May, Doctors of the World has provided 13,000 medical consultations by deploying mobile clinics to remote Nepalese villages. Communities living in Nepal’s mountainous areas are especially vulnerable during monsoon season when landslides make it hard to access health services.
“The healthcare infrastructure remains largely insufficient,” adds Sivignon. “Reconstruction will take years.”
Survivors mainly suffer from skin diseases and digestive disorders caused by lack of safe water and sanitation. In order to safeguard public health in the future, our teams provide training in epidemic preparedness and first aid to Nepalese communities and health workers.
“To mitigate the huge issues they face, the Nepalese must be allowed to play an active role in reconstructing their country,” says Sivignon.
The devastation left by the earthquakes is immense. More than 90% of healthcare facilities were destroyed in the district of Sindhupalchock and the delivery of aid has been further complicated by the logistical challenges of working in mountainous areas. National reconstruction has also been jeopardised by the recent tense economic and political climate. Fuel shortages have all but paralysed travel and winter approaching is just another hurdle to recovery.
"It’s set to be a hard winter, which is worrying,” says Sivignon. “To make it through, the Nepalese need improved access to clean water and better-adapted shelters. Without them, the impact on people’s health will be disastrous, and respiratory infections will soar."
The winter also risks worsening the post-traumatic stress prevalent since the earthquakes which has resulted in increased alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Given the potential trauma associated with surviving such a major disaster, our teams also carry out psychological activities.
Seeking to maintain access to healthcare, Doctors of the World’s main focus is to rehabilitate the health system. We’re building semi-permanent health centres to ensure community access to proper medical facilities until the government is able to restore permanent health structures.
“As one of the world’s poorest countries, Nepal’s health system was already vulnerable before this catastrophe,” says Leigh Daynes, Doctors of the World's UK director. “Now the healthcare system is in desperate need of support.”