CARE staff speak to affected people and hand out relief items. © CARE/CSP East Team Days after a 6.8 rector scale earthquake jolted Nepal, life was yet to get back to normalcy. This was one of the strongest quakes in 78 years. It lasted nearly a minute and was felt in most parts of the country.

Reports say that 22 of the 75 districts in Nepal were affected by the tremor. Seven people lost their lives and 55 people were injured and hospitalised. 144 people have minor injuries, over 1726 houses fully and 1048 houses were partially destroyed. 1726 families are displaced because of the earthquake

Of the affected districts, CARE is already working in seven. Among them 52 schools are damaged in Panchthar and have had to be closed. Eleven sub-health posts are  damaged, ten of them severely. The figures are likely to rise once the inaccessible areas of the east have been assessed. Currently there is no means of communication to reach those communities. Bridges have collapsed and the nearest village is up to 6 days walk. The foot trails have been blocked due to landslide making any kind of relief or support impossible. This has made relief work extremely difficult for the government and charities. To make matters worse these areas are believed to be worst affected by the quake due to their proximity with the epicenter.

Even in the reported areas, a lot remains to be done. Communities need rehabilitation, schools will have to be rebuilt, the health posts need to be renovated, community buildings need to be restored and bridges rebuilt.

Based on the recommendations made by District Disaster Relief Committees, CARE is providing support equivalent to US$ 4807 through Nepal Red Cross Society in three districts. CARE will distribute rice and tarpaulins, rope, utensils, and bamboo to 1050 households. CARE’s field staff are constantly monitoring the situation and arranging immediate relief for people who need it.

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