-Search and Rescue operatinos still ongoing, it is estimated that over 400 have died and this rapid assessment indicates that damage incurred to shelter and infrastructure is extensive.
-Goverment emergency coordinators, who visited almost all VDCs in the district said an estimated 50,000 households in the district were in urgent need of temporary shelter solutions, while KIs in villages reported that 90-95% of the houses in their villages were destroyed.
-With shelters destroyed, particularly in villages, and due to fears of aftershocks and further collapse, it was reported that a majority of village residents in the entire District are sleeping in makeshift shelters, often eating the remaining food in stocks.
-The same needs were identified and ranked similarly by all KIs:
- Shelter – both immediate solutions and long-term reconstruction (shift away from mud-stone to stronger construction methods)
- Food
- Medicines
- Sanitation (only mentioned by government officials, in particular water cleaning kits and basic medicines)
2. Situation Overview
On 25 April 2015, Nepal was struck by an earthquake that registered 7.5 on the Richter Scale. Millions of people have been affected by the disaster, with over 5,000 people confirmed dead and several thousands more injured.The epicentre of the earthquake is located 77km northwest of Kathmandu, in the Gurka district. Whilst the impact of the disaster in Kathmandu Municipality is well-documented, the damage incurred in the rest of the country – in particular remote areas – is less well-known.
A previous rapid assessment was conducted by ACTED staff (Luca Pupulin, Philip Bato) in Shanku Village, Shankarpur Municipality, which has become the first area of operations for ACTED (see Sankhu Rapid Assessment Report).In order to establish a second base, a second rapid assessment was conducted (Philip Bato) between 29-30 April.
A series of KIIs were conducted in three locations in order to a) identify VDCs most in need due to level of damage and lack of incoming aid, and b) gain information supply routes and governmental coordination mechanisms to facilitate future NFI distributions and other operations:
-Jyamire Village, Muralibhanjyang VDC, Dhading District
-Dhadang Besi, Nilkanth Municipality, Dhading District
-Gurka Bazaar, Gurka District (not incluide
Particular focus was placed on Dhading as it directly borders Gurka district, in which the epicentre of the earthquake was located, with Kis reporting that the districtss received significantly lower levels of aid than Ghurka District. Dhading contains 73,851 HH (2008 National Census) and 334,292 inhabitants(OCHA 2011).
With Search and Rescue operations still ongoing, it is estimated that over 400 have died and this rapid assessment indicates that damage incurred to shelter and infrastructure is extensive. Goverment emergency coordinators, who visited almost all VDCs in the district said an estimated 50,000 households in the district were in urgent need of temporary shelter solutions, while KIs in villages reported that 90-95% of the houses in their villages were destroyed. With shelters destroyed, particularly in villages, and due to fears of aftershocks and further collapse, it was reported that a majority of village residents in the entire District are sleeping in makeshift shelters, often eating the remaining food in stock.
The same needs were identified and ranked similarly by all KIs:
- Shelter – both immediate solutions and long-term reconstruction (shift away from mud-stone to stronger construction methods)
- Food
- Medicines
- Sanitation (only mentioned by government officials, in particular water cleaning kits and basic medicines)
3. Assessment Methodology
-Secondary Data: OCHA Nepal Earthquake Severy Index
- Developed for the emergency, the Index uses 2008 Census data in combination with Richter scale data per district to determine vulnerability
- Index was used to triangulate KI reports on affected VDCs and determine population density + demographics
-KIIs were conducted to:
- identify VDCs most in need due to level of damage and lack of incoming aid
- Initial KI (senior local NGO leader with 20 years experience and knowledge of situation) defined 9 VDCs that were worst affected
- Key areas were divided into two distinct geographical areas (Northern zone = 6 mentions, Southern zone = 2 mentions, plus one other)
- Visited Northern zone, conducted KIs to determine status in area
- gain information supply routes and governmental coordination mechanisms to facilitate future NFI distributions and other operations
- Conducted KIIs with Chief District Officer, in charge of coordinating relief, as well as other key government official at SAR airbase in Dadang Besi
- Determined coverage of area per NGO and distributed items
- Used OCHA Index and KIIs to re-determine potential areas of intervention:
- Aginchok
- Salyankot
- Tripura
- Jyamruck
- Katunje (potential)
- Sangkos (potential)
- Semdhung (potential)
-KII Locations:
- Jyamire Village, Muralibhanjyang VDC, Dhading District
- Dhadang Besi, Nilkanth Municipality, Dhading District
- Gurka Bazaar, Gurka District (not included in overview below)
4. Assessment Findings
Populations Affected______
Situation
Dhading contains 73,851 HH (2008 National Census) and 334,292 inhabitants(OCHA 2011)
-Estimated 400 dead, many Northern mountaineous areas still not fully accessed
-46 VDCs, of which almost all are reportedly affected
Needs, Coverage and Gaps
-In particular 5 villages in northernmost VDCs are badly impacted by the earthquake. Due to their remote and high altitude locations (no road access), SAR operations have been slow to start.
-In the rest of the district, accessible by car, the North-Western VDCs are most badly affected. The main needs are outlined below.
Shelter______
Situation
-According to government officials, approximately 50,000 HHs in the District, out of 74,000 in total, need urgent shelter assistance. In the villages above Dadhing Besi – the main urban centre – KIs reported shelter destruction rates of 90-100%. This was verified by ACTED staff.
-As short-term solution, residents are living in makeshift tents, generally made from bamboo sticks and plastic sheets.
- The ground underneath is wet, the weather is cold after sun-set, while rains have been ongoing.
Needs, Coverage and Gaps
-Short-term:Plastic sheeting and sticks urgently needed
-Mid-term:Monsoon will start in two months, after which winterized shelters will need to be provided
-Long-term:Most shelters in affected villages were built from mud and stone. KIs in those villages expressed strong opinions on the need for training and equipment, or cash assistance, to build better houses.
Livelihoods, Food Security and Nutrition______
Situation
-Most residents of Dhading are farmers, and rely on the production of wheat, rice, maize and potatoes. It is currently wheat and potato harvesting season.
-Many residents had recently harvested and stored either their seeds or harvest at home. After their houses collapsed, they lost both these sources of income and food.
-Residents asked for more food, and concerns were voiced over food stocks. People close to markets were able to purchase food from shops, but said VDCs further away were experiencing greater food shortages.
-No preparations are being made for the next planting season as everyone is allocating resources to coping with the disaster.
-Because of the disaster, relatives who work in the cities are returning to help their families, which means they are not providing their essential share of the HH income until the situation is resolved.
Needs, Coverage and Gaps
-Possible Cash-for-Work to clear rubble and demolish buildings
-Food assistance
-Provision of seeds, or cash assistance to replenish stock
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene______
Situation
-In rural villages, water comes straight and continuously from the mountain. KIs said water quality was OK, not affected.
-Each house had external toilet facilities which are now destroyed. People now practice open defecation, but reported no issues or diseases.
Needs, Coverage and Gaps
-Sanitary facilities (need is high in urban areas, low in rural)
-Hygiene kits
-Hygiene promotion
Health______
Situation
-In an interview with KI in village, the local hospital was used as shetler, but a functioning hospital was nearby within 10km
Needs, Coverage and Gaps
-Need was expressed by several KIs, in particular the CDO who had visited several VDCs, to provide basic medicines to hospitals who had run out – or will do so soon – of supplies.
Protection______
Situation
-No protection issues were mentioned, also when prompted.
Education______
Situation
-In village, KI reported that one building had collapsed, two had survived in decent condition. However, children could not go back to school until homes were restored according to residents.
-KI reported no schools were present in the vicinity.
Relief Efforts/Assistance______
At the district level, little government assistance has been received, while NGOs are focusing on SAR missions in the mountains. The destruction in the rest of the district has been neglected.
4. Humanitarian Access-Full access to Dhading Besi, but difficult access (4x4 car needed) to almost all Northern areas. Helicopter needed for Northernmost VDCs.
-No security concerns
Contact DetailsACTED Country office address and contact details