NEW DELHI:The powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25 left a trail of devastation, wrecking 1,60, 786 houses and 1,383 schools in at least 26 districts. The number of damaged property is nearly twice the number of households damaged in the 1934 earthquake in Nepal-Bihar.
According to a situation report released by the United Nation’s humanitarian agency OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) on May 2, up to 90 per cent of the houses in Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk districts have been destroyed.
Across large parts of Dhading, Dolakha, Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, more than 80 per cent of houses have been flattened. According to government and humanitarian partners, most stone and mud houses across the earthquake-hit districts have been damaged or destroyed. The situation report raises concerns about food stocks saying that 50 per cent of shops have been damaged or destroyed, food stocks have been depleted or ruined and shopkeepers and have been displaced or affected. Over 3 million people are estimated to be in need of food assistance. Of them, an estimated 1.4 million most affected people in 11 districts have been prioritised for immediate food assistance.
“One week into the response, multinational forces along with Nepalese Army have treated 570 patients, conducting major surgeries, rescued 942 stranded people, including 20 foreigners, delivered over 100 tonnes of food and relief supplies. Forces have cleared roads in Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, Dhading, Gorakha, Okhaldunga, Kavre, Ramechhap, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Makawanpur, Bhaktpur, Lalitpur, Kathmandu and Solukhumbu districts,” the UN report stated.
The report also said $415 million is required for vital humanitarian relief but as of May 2 total financial support stands at $68 million.
Meanwhile, the Army and the NDRF has intensified relief operation. On May 2, Aviation Advanced Light Helicopters conducted 12 sorties and evacuated 13 casualties apart from delivering 5.3 tonne of relief material to inaccessible areas. Around 104 tonne of relief materials donated by various agencies to the quake-affected people has been dispatched by the NDRF for handing over to Nepalese authorities.
