Jajarkot earthquake, Birvi’s journey of loss and hope
Meet 66-year-old Birvi living in a rural village, nestled in the hills of Jajarkot, Nepal. She was left homeless when an earthquake struck the remote hilly district in November 2023, killing more than 150 people and injuring close to 400.
A night of terror as the earthquake hits
“I was at my younger son’s house. We were asleep after an event. Suddenly at midnight, I felt something was not right. Before I realised it, I heard a strange sound of cracking,” recounts Birvi, her voice tinged with the memory of fear.
In those harrowing moments, Birvi’s courage became her lifeline. “I would have died if I had not held onto the door tightly and stayed in between for a few minutes. I saw the roof falling. My eldest grandson jumped, and was injured.”
“I would have died if I had not held onto the door tightly and stayed in between for a few minutes. I saw the roof falling. My eldest grandson jumped, and was injured.”
Birvi
Home reduced to rubble
Birvi, a mother of 5, has been caring for her 2 young grandchildren since her son’s wife passed away. “I was confident I could provide a good life for my grandsons when my husband was still alive. After he died, I felt hopeless as I am getting old and my grandsons are still very young,” she shares.
Despite her struggles, Birvi is known in her community as a traditional healer, a trusted figure who offers solace and support to those in need. However, the earthquake shattered not only her home but also her sense of security.
“On the night of the earthquake, I was injured as I fell,” she recalls. “My younger son carried me, and we all stayed outside under the sky. We did not sleep for almost 4 nights. For almost 3 nights, I was not able to cook and eat.”
“On the night of the earthquake, I was injured as I fell.”
Birvi
The aftermath of the disaster plunged Birvi and her grandsons into uncertainty. With their home reduced to rubble and their livelihoods threatened, they faced a bleak future. Birvi reflects, “It has been 5 years since my husband passed away. During that time, I have managed everything on my own while also caring for my grandsons, who are 13 and 10. Now, this earthquake has taken away everything we had.”
In the weeks following the earthquake, Birvi’s 13-year-old grandson came to her and expressed his desire to leave school and find work to support his grandmother and younger brother. “He insisted on working to contribute to our household income, hoping his 10-year-old brother could continue his studies.”
Birvi’s youngest grandson was able to resume his education after a break of 2 to 3 months due to the destruction of his school building. Now studying in the open, the students are showing great resilience and determination to continue their studies – despite the challenges.
Essentials packs
A month after the earthquake, winter started and Birvi and her grandsons did not have any clean clothes to wear, warm blankets, or nutritious food to eat. “We were shivering and needed support when the ward office told us about the winter kits being distributed by Plan International and SAC Nepal,” shares Birvi.
“My name was included on the list and a representative from the ward office visited me to assess our situation. A few weeks later, a neighbour associated with SAC Nepal gave me a coupon and told me to present it at the ward office.”
Walking for approximately 45 minutes to the ward office, Birvi anticipated a lengthy process to obtain the essentials they desperately needed. However, when she got there, her neighbour swiftly processed her coupon and provided her with a package containing some much needed provisions.
“I received a sweater, a woollen cap, two saris, woollen shawl, a scarf, leggings, a thermos, a solar light, and clothes for the children. It was such a relief for me,” she says. “The package also contained a warm blanket, two foam mattresses, a tarpaulin, and rope. My grandsons and I have been using the mattresses and blankets. However, I have set aside some of the clothes, for when we travel to the city.”
“I received a sweater, a woollen cap, two saris, woollen shawl, a scarf, leggings, a thermos, a solar light, and clothes for the children. It was such a relief for me.”
Birvi
In addition to these supplies to weather the cold months ahead, Birvi was also given the number of a toll-free hotline where she could offer feedback on Plan International’s initiatives in her community. “I have saved the numbers in my phone, so that if I have any thoughts I can easily voice them, free of charge.”
With the support of her community and local authorities, Birvi and her grandsons have started the long journey to rebuild their house using locally available materials. “I am working on a temporary shelter. I am building it near to my son’s house so that we can stay together during any future disasters.” Birvi’s unwavering spirit stands as a testament to the power of resilience in the face of adversity. Her story serves as a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, hope can shine through, lighting the path to a brighter tomorrow.
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