Nepal

Nepal Earthquakes The first earthquake occurred just before midday on 25 April 2015 at a 7.8 Magnitude. The epicentre was in the Gorkha district. Budget Hotel in Thamel before and after

The second earthquake The second earthquake on 12 May had a magnitude of 7.3. The epicentre is thought to be in the border of Dolakha and Sindhupalchowk, two districts of Nepal near to the Solukhumbu where we work. Gumila School after the second quake

Earthquake impact So far around 8,400 people are reported to have been killed and more than 19,000 injured. The UN estimates that 8 million people across the country are affected by the disaster – more than a quarter of the population. It is thought that 2.8 million people are displaced, with more than 70,000 homes destroyed and a further 530,000 damaged across the country’s 39 affected districts (out of 75).

The earthquakes caused fresh avalanches on Mt Everest, landslides, and further aftershocks and destruction throughout the country. Nepal, already a country struggling with widespread poverty before the earthquake, faces many years of recovery and rebuilding. Earthquake impact

The few buildings that survived the first shake simply could not stand up to a second major shake and so now most homes, schools, hospitals and health posts are destroyed in the Solukhumbu region where we work. It is not only the widespread physical damage that is of concern, but also the additional trauma and shock such a second disaster causes. Earthquake impact

Solukhumbu The Solukhumbu region is a mountainous area below Everest. Approximately 100,000 people live here, in very remote and harsh conditions. Many roads and paths are now blocked meaning it is hard to get much needed resources to the area.

Villagers are sleeping outside in tents or under tarpaulins, many hospitals and health posts can’t be used and children are not able to attend school because the buildings are destroyed or damaged. The monsoon season has already begun and so it is vital that both temporary help and long term rebuilding takes place. Solukhumbu

Providing immediate relief We have provided emergency relief— distributing more than 900 tarpaulins More tents, tarpaulins, warm clothing and wet weather gear is on its way.

Providing immediate relief We have sent engineers to the villages to provide construction advice to homeowners and builders, to help them rebuild their homes and lodges so they are more able to withstand earthquakes.

Providing immediate relief We have funded an emergency relief home project for twenty-five relief houses to be built for families that have lost everything. Five are already completed.

What is the Himalayan Trust doing? We want to “build back better” and our team have been walking from village to village, assessing the level of damage, so we can prioritise our rebuild efforts. Our focus is particularly on the schools and health centres.

What is the Himalayan Trust doing? We have identified and funded 21 schools requiring immediate assistance with the temporary repair of classrooms or alternate arrangements so that children could return to school. Engineers are completing technical assessments and developing plans for schools needing a complete rebuild or classrooms replaced. This will require a long-term commitment from the Himalayan Trust.