The UN’s efforts to aid Nepal after the earthquake are ongoing, as additional tremors continue to affect families and cause emotional distress.
Reports from officials at the scene indicate that over 380 aftershocks have occurred following the 6.4 magnitude earthquake that hit just before midnight on Friday and Saturday in local time.
Preliminary investigations indicate that approximately 4,000 residences have been impacted in the most severely affected regions of Rukum (West) and Jajarkot. This has resulted in approximately 1.3 million individuals being without adequate shelter, with an estimated 250,000 requiring urgent aid.
According to reports from the media, approximately 213 schools have suffered damage, with 91 of them being completely destroyed.
The location’s isolation in a region prone to landslides and frequent aftershocks presents major obstacles.
The Friday earthquake in Nepal was the most fatal since the quakes in April-May 2015, which resulted in the loss of nearly 9,000 lives, destruction or severe damage to over 500,000 homes, and billions of dollars in economic damage.
The United Nations leader offers his support to Nepal.
The spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres, Stéphane Dujarric, expressed deep sorrow for the loss of life and destruction caused by the earthquake. He also mentioned that the UN is collaborating closely with officials to promptly provide aid to those impacted.
“Mr. Dujarric issued a statement on Monday in New York, expressing his solidarity with the Government and people of Nepal. He also extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, as the hospitality and spirit of the country’s people are still fresh in his heart following his recent return from Nepal.”
Preexisting vulnerabilities
The area is one of the most impoverished in the nation, making it especially susceptible. A large portion of men work seasonal jobs outside of the region, which leaves numerous women, children, and elderly family members behind in local towns and villages.
“The recent earthquake has exacerbated the challenges faced by communities with low socio-economic status and limited ability to cope,” stated Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Nepal.
UNICEF employees are unloading aid materials in the Jajarkot district of Nepal, which was severely affected by an earthquake in the western region.
Joint UN response
As a reply, United Nations organizations, along with the Government and other humanitarian groups, are offering temporary housing, nourishment, and non-essential items.
The WFP is assisting with logistical needs at the Humanitarian Staging Area and has delivered six metric tonnes of emergency food. The WHO and UNFPA are providing medical resources and teams.
UNICEF is supplying essential goods to support children and families in need. They have already distributed 1,000 tarps and 1,300 blankets, and are in the process of providing an additional 3,000. They are also providing supplies for water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Collaborating with other agencies, UNFPA prioritizes addressing gender-based violence by providing counseling and community-based psychosocial support. UN-Women aids women’s groups by offering resources such as community kitchens and relief packages.
The Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is receiving assistance from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Additionally, the UNDP is making arrangements to send engineers, volunteers, and drones to aid in damage assessment.
Source: news.un.org
