RCS News

Threat of quake awakened Nepal: NRCS activated relief mechanism

Indral Adhikari
Kathmandu, 22 October

In fact, earthquake cannot be predicated so probably it was not anticipated by Nepalese people, in particular people living in the eastern Nepal. But no sooner they arrived at home after completing their day-time business on 17 September, a 6.9 Richter scale earthquake struck. It quivered many parts of Nepal and mostly Kathmandu and the eastern Nepal observed heavy effect at 18:25 local time. It claimed 7 lives and left 6,343 families displaced as they lost their houses. At least 72 people were found seriously injured.
Due to the earthquake, 14, 667 families have been affected as it destroyed 6,343 houses fully and 8, 324 houses partially. The impact of earthquake lies in the North Eastern districts of Nepal compared to other areas. Public buildings, especially schools and health facilities, have also been damaged. The estimated loss is 30 million rupees (approx. 384615 USD).
Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) has distributed relief items to the neediest people. Meanwhile, food items were distributed to 90 families and non-food relief items to 4,184 families. The NRCS headquarters has been coordinating with the Government of Nepal, International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies, the ICRC and UN organization for an effective relief operation.

Following the situation, NRCS activated its Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) immediately and the district chapters initiated assessment and distribution of relief materials for the affected people. Teams comprising of technical expertise and relief operation were mobilized in all affected districts for identifying the needs of affected families. Nepal Red Cross Society had deployed eight response teams over the past month. The teams are made up of First Aiders, Water and Sanitation Volunteers, Light Search and rescue who provided assistance to affected community.
Winter season has direct impact on living condition of affected population although they have already received tarpaulins and blankets. There is a need of reconstruction programme focusing on shelter support, in particular. Relief and reconstruction works are really difficult because of the scattered settlement in hilly areas.
According to the National Seismologic Centre (NSC), the epicentre was eastern Nepal bordering to India. Thus it impacted mainly Taplejung district in Nepal and Sikkim in India.