KEY FINDINGS IN OCTOBER
In October, community perception sur veys highlight a continued improvement of how communities feel about the earthquake response. While feedback collected focuses on earthquake response, other issues, particularly the fuel crisis and reconstruction, have an impact on community perceptions and feedback.
This round marked the first time positive perceptions were greater than negative perceptions for some issues. In particular,
October saw an improvement in how communities feel about:
- Information needs being met
- Overall progress in the response phase
- Satisfaction w ith government and NGOs in the response phase
- Fairness of relief/aid support
While these improvements are positive, community responses still show the need for humanitarian agencies to continue to strengthen its outreach and dialogue with communities.
Feedback collected from 12 agencies in the field also highlight the issue of beneficiar y selection and aid distribution as a challenge. Issues, such as quality, access, and eligibility continue to be raised by communities.
Shelter and winter related issues remain the biggest concern for communities. Community feedback, from multiple channels, raise concerns and questions related to reconstruction support. While community perceptions on response efforts have improved, the issue of reconstruction support remains significant.
It is clear from community feedback that communities w ill rely heavily on government led support for reconstruction, particularly grants, loans and guidelines.
It will be critical for the government and humanitarian community to clearly communicate plans and guidelines for communities to allow them the opportunity to recover and rebuild as quickly as possible.
With winter beginning in Nepal, communities have also clearly provided feedback on their needs for cold protecting shelter and warm clothing.
Key Recom m endations for October :
- Continue to strengthen outreach and dialogue w ith communities to ensure communities have the information they need and are able to provide feedback to shape response efforts
- Ensure reconstruction plans are shared w ith communities, particularly around issues of grant and loan support and guidelines in building back better
- Continue efforts in scaling up w inter response support as communities have identified a lack of readiness for this event