Executive Summary
Nepal faced a year of humanitarian crises in 2015. The earthquakes that struck Nepal on 25 April and 12 May 2015 were devastating, with an estimated total affected population of 2.8 million, out of which 1.1 million (40 per cent) were children. 31 out of 75 districts were considered “most affected” and within that, 14 districts were classified as severely affected and prioritized for humanitarian assistance. Across the country, over 5,000 schools are estimated to have been destroyed and thousands more damaged, together with a deterioration in water and sanitation services, disruption of schools and health services, are all having an impact on multidimensional poverty (Post Disaster Needs Assessment 2015). The humanitarian crisis created by the earthquakes is now being compounded by the political unrest in the country’s southern belt following the promulgation of the new Constitution of Nepal in September 2015, creating a challenging operational environment.
Achievements: During 2015, UNICEF Nepal worked with its partners to distribute vital supplies, support the restoration of basic services, build capacity of institutions and provide information to benefit children and their families in the 14 most severely earthquake affected districts as well as existing districts targeted by the Country Programme. Despite the diversion of resources for the emergency programme, key results have been achieved in terms of policy and legislative reform, systems strengthening and social change:
Health: UNICEF Nepal reached more than 500,000 children under five in earthquake-affected areas with primary health care services including immunization against measles, polio and rubella. In addition, the Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health Act was endorsed providing legal provisions for the rights of women to maternity leave during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and free health services for mothers and newborns.
Nutrition: All 481,334 targeted boys and girls aged 6 to 59 months in earthquake-affected areas received Vitamin A supplementation and deworming. Furthermore as part of implementation of the Multisectoral Nutrition Plan, more than 370,000 or 80 per cent of children under five were screened for acute malnutrition. 157,660 mothers and caretakers of children under two were oriented on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices.
WASH: In earthquake-affected districts, UNICEF Nepal reached to 655,910 affected people with safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene along with 82,000 families who have received family hygiene kits. In addition, six districts (Bardia, Gulmi, Nawalparasi, Bajhang, Surkhet, and Rolpa) have achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status with UNICEF support.
Education: As part of the earthquake response, 159,900 children were able to continue their education in 1,599 Temporary Learning Centres (TLCs). In districts targeted by the existing Country Programme, 12,516 adolescents (6,312 girls; 6,204 boys) have been reached through UNICEF’s Afterschool Programme providing life skills, homework support and sports activities supporting transition to secondary education.
Child Protection: In earthquake-affected areas, a total of 956 (427 women, 281 girls, 224 boys and 44 men) people have been intercepted from trafficking and 158,478 parents and children have been provided with psychosocial support. The new Constitution of Nepal 2015 includes progressive provisions relating to child protection, including the right to birth registration as well as provisions prohibiting child marriage, illegal transfer, and the abduction of children.
Adolescent Development and Participation: 12,584 adolescents have been equipped with social skills and financial knowledge to influence and participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Social Policy: Social Protection measures have been advanced with the provision of an emergency cash top-up grant to 400,000 existing beneficiaries of the government’s social assistance schemes for Dalit children, people with disabilities, older persons, widows and single women, and highly marginalised ethnic groups across the 19 districts affected by the earthquakes.
Shortfalls: The ongoing earthquake recovery programmes faced difficulties due to fuel shortages and instability in the Terai areas of the country resulting in an acute shortage of essential supplies. Stocks of vital medicines, vaccines and antibiotics are critically low. More than 200,000 families are still living in temporary shelters following the earthquakes with conditions becoming dire during the winter season.
Partnerships: UNICEF Nepal developed collaborative partnerships to advance its programme results and strengthen its emergency response, building upon existing partnerships and working with new partners through the humanitarian clusters. It also worked with the Microsoft Innovation Centre and Google to organise a series of Appathons, an intensive app development competition for young programmers. UNICEF engaged Radio Nepal to launch a radio program ‘Bhandai- Sundai’ or “Talking Listening” immediately after the earthquake. Along with psychosocial counselling and situation updates, the programme ensured accountability towards beneficiaries by connecting relevant authorities to address concerns from the community.