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Recommendations have been made to pay attention to the potential psycho-social problems among the earthquake survivors in the quake-hit areas.

A psychiatric doctor underlined the need of stepping up psycho-social counseling, especially to the women and children who are in a state of fear due to the earthquake.

Citizens have been mentally and psychologically traumatized in earthquake-hit areas, Psychiatric Doctor of Karnali Province Hospital Purna Rawal suggested the government run a complete package of psycho-social programs in the quake-hit areas.

"Aftershocks are frequent in the area. Citizens are in precarious condition. Psycho-social problems can be seen among the people in such situations. All three tiers of governments should pay attention to psycho-social counseling along with relief and rehabilitation", he added.

Meanwhile, the Karnali Province government said that it has deputed a team of psychosocial counselors to the field for counseling services.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) on Wednesday handed over a cheque of Rs 10 million to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal as per its commitment to provide monetary assistance to the earthquake survivors in Jajarkot and Rukum West.

A delegation led by Director General of CAAN Pradeep Kumar had reached the official residence of Prime Minister in Baluwatar this morning to hand over the cheque.

The amount will be deposited in the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, according to CAAN Spokesperson Jagannath Niraula.

An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit Jajarkot at 11:47 pm on Friday killing at least 157 people.

Children comprise more than half of the human casualties in the 6.4 magnitude quake that struck Jagarkot and Rukum West last Friday, police data show, putting the number of children succumbing to the disaster at over 80. 

The disaster has rendered about 10000 people shelterless, said government officials, while initial estimates put the number of school buildings destroyed in the quake at 300.

 Heather Campbell, Country Director for Save the Children in Nepal, said, “Children are scared. Many have lost relatives; thousands have lost their homes. The constant aftershocks and terror of another quake means they have been forced into the open. With temperatures dropping, they need shelter, warmth and nutritious food.   

 “We are worried that the longer the children live outside, the greater the chances of contracting pneumonia. They are also at risk of contracting waterborne diseases, as safe drinking water is scarce. There is an urgent need for toilets and washing facilities,” Campbell said. 

“Children are vulnerable and need spaces where they are safe and can continue to learn. We need to ensure their safety and protection as disasters like this can lead to severe mental distress. Recovery from the trauma of losing loved ones and homes will not be a quick process. They need stability.”  

 14 schools destroyed in Bheri 

In Bheri municipality, the jolt has destroyed 14 school buildings, whereas 78 school buildings have suffered damage, the municipality’s data show. The tremor has killed 11 students and three teachers in the municipality, while 31 students have sustained injuries. 

Forty-seven classrooms, nine toilets and four compound walls have turned into rubble in the quake, whereas 122 school buildings, 476 classrooms, 38 toilets, nine fences, one science lab, nine ICT labs and two solar systems have suffered damage.

In Rukum West, the quake has claimed 14 students, destroyed 15 school buildings and caused damage to 20 schools. 

President reaching out

President Ramchandra Paudel on Tuesday reached out to the survivors of the quake and assured them of all possible help from the state in rebuilding their lives. He visited Sitali Kami of Bheri municipality-1, who is undergoing treatment at Jajarkot district hospital for injuries sustained in the quake. 

He assured Sitali that the state would provide assistance for the reconstruction of her house damaged in the quake. Paudel also stressed that the survivors need temporary shelters. 

While interacting with the survivors at Thaple of Bheri-3 after visiting the spot where Nalagadh municipality’s deputy mayor Sarita Singh had lost her life in a house collapse, President Paudel pledged that the government will expedite reconstruction works and address other concerns of the survivors in a gradual manner. 

No relief for survivors 

Five days into the quake, government agencies have still not been able to provide for most of the survivors facing a grim winter with almost all of their possessions lost, as if bereavement were not enough. Local levels have not been able to provide blankets and bedding in required numbers to people like Ganesh Thapa of Bheri-3, who said he has not yet received warm clothing. 

Relief materials have not yet reached most of the remote places outside the district headquarters, with representatives of various organizations distributing these materials in the villages as per their convenience instead of giving due priority to the most affected ones. 

Local communities do not know how to remain safe even as frequent aftershocks have been occurring here.

Meanwhile, relief materials reached Barekot rural municipality on Monday, two days after the earthquake. Chair of the municipality Chair Bir Bahadur Giri said,  “As people in the rural municipality have been living out in the open, protecting them from cold is a major challenge.”

NC, CPN (US) donate to relief fund

Nepali Congress (NC) and CPN (Unified Socialist) have made contributions to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.

A delegation of NC office-bearers, including President Sher Bahadur Deuba, visited Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal at the PM’s official residence in Baluwatar to hand over a cheque bearing Rs 5m, meant for the survivors of the quake. A delegation under CPN(Unified Socialist) Chair and former PM, Madhav Kumar Nepal, presented a cheque bearing Rs 2.5m to PM Dahal.  

CPN(US) also submitted a nine-point proposal to the government regarding post-earthquake relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts. The party lauded government measures in response to the earthquake, particularly the search and rescue operations, recommending that the federal government oversee and facilitate the implementation of a one-door policy for rescue and rehabilitation efforts by ensuring the leading roles of provinces and local governments toward that end. 

During the meeting, PM Dahal assured that the best practices in post-disaster management will be followed. He said, “With the search and rescue operations completed, the focus has now shifted to the second-phase response, including relief and rehabilitation.”

Dahal said he held separate meetings with the ambassadors from the neighboring countries regarding disaster relief. 

The meetings with the ambassadors focused on the management of storage facilities at the local level and development of integrated settlements based on geographical features of the affected areas. 

The Global Equity Fund and USAID Trade and Competitiveness jointly launched the Nepal Women Growth Equity Fund, Nepal’s first fund focused on women entrepreneurs, on Tuesday.

The fund will unlock investment opportunities for women and increase women’s access to financial services to enable them to grow their businesses. 

“This event is a perfect example of how the US Government partners with the private sector to foster entrepreneurship and economic growth in Nepal,” said the US Chargé d'Affaires Jason Meeks, adding, “The Nepal Women Growth Equity Fund will help address the systemic challenges that are faced by the women entrepreneurs in accessing financing.”

Women entrepreneurs face multiple complex barriers to start and operate businesses, but one persistent barrier is limited and unequal access to capital. To overcome this, the Global Equity Fund through the Nepal Women Growth Equity Fund will raise and mobilize NPR 500 million investment (USD $3.5 million). It will increase women entrepreneurs’ access to growth capital, build their capacity, and foster linkages to domestic and global markets. The Fund is expected to support over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, reads a statement issued by the Global Equity Fund.

Chairman of Nepal Private Equity Association, Siddhant Raj Pandey appreciated the partnership   between the Global Equity Fund and USAID Trade and Competitiveness.

Pandey remarked, “This initiative will provide great support to women-led enterprises to diversify their service offerings and improve their productivity, making them market leaders.”

As Nepal recovers from the economic impacts of COVID-19, increased accessibility and availability of diversified financial resources for small and medium enterprises is critical–especially for women.

The Nepal Women Growth Equity Fund will help address this need to create a vibrant and resilient investment ecosystem where women can participate and realize their full economic potential.