Nepal Earthquake Six Months Later
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck Nepal’s Gorkha district on Saturday April 25, 2015 was the biggest disaster Nepal had experienced since the earthquake of 1934. Over 8,790 people were killed and more than 22,300 injured, followed by a second earthquake measuring 7.3 on Tuesday May 12 close to Mount Everest. Hundreds of aftershocks - many large - since remind terrified people of the scale of the disaster. The damage and loss is calculated at some US$ seven billion, with over half a million houses partially or fully destroyed, and the Government of Nepal estimates some additional 700,000 Nepalis will be pushed into poverty as a result.
The Humanitarian Coalition and the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee (UK) have both responded to the earthquake by launching appeals for funds for their members to enable them to respond to the extensive humanitarian needs. The DEC, joined by the HC, commissioned a response review to provide an overview of the response so far; identify gaps, priority areas and unmet needs. In doing this key lessons from this response were identified along with innovations and exemplary programming.