Jhalak: Championing inclusive humanitarian response
Jhalak Bishwakarma ensures inclusivity in relief efforts by providing crucial information about aid distribution to a person with a disability.
Comprehensive earthquake response in Karnali Province
Plan International Nepal was among the first to respond, delivering essential aid following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Karnali province in November 2023.
Earthquake overview
On the 3rd of November 2023, a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Jajarkot and Rukum West districts at 23:47 Nepal Standard Time. The quake also affected 11 other districts. This was followed by a strong aftershock of 5.8 ML on the 6th of November 2023. Both shocks were felt in Kathmandu. The disaster caused 154 deaths and 366 injuries, with extensive damage: 62,012 private homes, 626 schools, and 50 government buildings were affected. Around 250,000 people were impacted.
Plan International Nepal’s rapid response
In response, Plan International Nepal worked with the Government of Nepal, local authorities, and other partners. With funding from the Government of Canada and the Canadian Humanitarian Coalition, Plan International Nepal, in partnership with Plan International Canada, launched a six-month project titled “Multi-Sectoral Response to Earthquake in Karnali Province.” This project focused on Jajarkot and western Rukum, targeting 10,010 people (2,961 women; 2,845 men; 2,144 girls; 2,060 boys).
Immediately after the earthquake, Plan International Nepal promptly collaborated with the local non-governmental organisation, SAC Nepal, and coordinated with the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC). By following the DDMC’s decision on the 17th of December 2023, the project team coordinated with the Local Disaster Management Committee of the respective municipalities and started to work with the communities.
Our priorities
- Shelter/non-food items (NFI): Earthquake-affected families are supported with transitional and temporary shelters along with life-saving shelter kits and kitchen kits.
- Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH): Affected families, especially girls and women, have access to WASH facilities including water supply and hygiene kits.
- Cash voucher assistance (CVA): Affected families receive cash and voucher assistance, addressing their immediate life-saving needs through unconditional multi-purpose cash assistance.
- Protection: Affected families receive mental health and psychosocial support along with child protection services with emphasis on gender and social inclusion considerations.
First responder
Mr. Kaushibahadur Bista, the Ward Chairperson said, “The organisation was the first to arrive in the affected area, bringing essential relief items that included blankets, tarpaulins, kitchen utensils, and clothes for newborns. This immediate assistance significantly eased the burden on families grappling with the aftermath of the earthquake.”
“The organisation was the first to arrive in the affected area, bringing essential relief items that included blankets, tarpaulins, kitchen utensils, and clothes for newborns.”
Kaushibahadur Bista, the ward chairperson, Nalgad
Impact
Shelter/NFIs
- 2,557 people (961 women, 910 men, 362 girls, 324 boys) received shelter materials and kitchen utensils.
- 100 transitional shelters built.
- 125 gender and disability-inclusive latrines installed.
- 200 families received winterisation support.
WASH
- 4,345 people (2,040 women, 1,488 men, 416 girls, 401 boys) benefited.
- 200 households received hygiene kits.
- 9 water schemes were rehabilitated.
- 16 hygiene promotion sessions were conducted.
CVA
- 2,128 people (784 women, 688 men, 345 girls, 311 boys) from 201 families received cash and vouchers.
- 140 damaged houses cleaned through cash-for-work.
Protection
- 1,411 participants (1,073 women, 306 men, 20 girls, 12 boys) received psychosocial support.
- Community sessions on child protection and gender-based violence were held.
- Dignity kits were distributed to adolescent girls and pregnant and lactating women.
Read our learning document on the multi-sectoral response to the earthquake in Karnali Province:
Learning Document: Multi-sectoral response to earthquake in Karnali province
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