On November 3rd, a 6.4 earthquake struck remote parts of western Nepal while people were sleeping, claiming at least 153 lives and injuring more than 338 people. Almost half of those reported killed and injured are children. This is the largest earthquake to strike the country since two devastating earthquakes in 2015 took the lives of nearly 9,000 people, a third of whom were children.
An estimated 200,000 people, including over 80,000 children, are affected in Jajarkot and Rukum West, the two most affected districts. In addition, a 5.8 magnitude aftershock shook Jajarkot District, with ongoing aftershocks forcing children and families to live in constant fear. Most homes have been damaged, along with schools, health centers, and other infrastructure.
UNICEF is working with authorities and partners to respond to the urgent needs of affected children and families. Within two days of the earthquake, UNICEF distributed emergency supplies to 2,000 families in Jajarkot’s Bheri and Nalgad municipalities, including hygiene kits, buckets, mugs and water purifiers, as well as tarpaulins and blankets. Further, two medical tents have been set up in Nalgad municipality for resumption of health services.
Additional supplies, including 667 sets of WASH supplies, have reached Rukum West, while 3,000 tarpaulins and blankets, as well as two medical tents have been dispatched to the affected areas.
With your support, UNICEF can continue to work around the clock on the ground to support response efforts and reach the most vulnerable children.
