After the floods: Nepalese families receive Canadian help to rebuild

On August 14, 2017, Cheeta Hembram woke up with nothing.

"During my life period, I never knew such type of calamity before. This was the first time ever," says this Nepalese widow.

The night before, Hembram ran away from her home, along with her neighbours, as flooding swept through their community.

Sunita Hasda, a single mother of three, barely escaped her sinking house during the flooding. Thanks to Canadian Lutheran World Relief, Mrs. Hasda lives in a new home and was able to open a small shop to generate a stable income. Photo: CLWR

That same evening, in a neighbouring community, Sunita Hasda was preparing supper for her three children. The heavy rains resulted in water sweeping into her home. The single mother escaped, carrying her youngest child on her shoulders.

The following day, the two women learned that the rising water had destroyed their homes, sweeping away all her belongings.

Thanks to quick Canadian assistance, both women were able to rebuild their homes, access clean water and sanitation services, and regain their livelihoods.

Canadian Lutheran World Relief supported several rebuilding efforts, including this market centre in Ranjani Bazaar, following the floods in Nepal. Photo: CLWR

With funding from the Canadian Humanitarian Assistance Fund, Canadian Lutheran World Relief put into place a six-month response plan within days of the disaster. Within four months, CLWR had already installed 11 raised hand pumps, repaired 113 school toilets and repaired five agriculture market centers. In addition, staff have handed out cash grants to 105 households to help them repair their homes and provided funds to help 112 people restore their small businesses.

The CHAF, partially funded by the Government of Canada, will allow CLWR to provide life-saving assistance to approximately 10,500 people affected by the floods.