Nepal

Earthquake in Jajarkot, Nepal

4 November 2023 Nepal Planning response

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the Jajarkot region of Nepal, killing hundreds of people.

A quarter of people in Nepal live below the national poverty line on less than 50¢ (37p) a day. Around 70% of the population rely on agriculture for an income however, in remote mountain areas, food prices are exceedingly high due to the lack of arable land and the time taken to deliver goods through supply routes. With food prices up to twice the cost as in urban areas, food insecurity is an even greater risk for families in these areas.

With frequent natural disasters in an area of insufficient agricultural economic growth from agriculture – accounting for a large segment of the country’s economy – combined with an increasing population, many families are left struggling to survive.

Image: Women gather as part of a women's empowerment project run by Islamic Relief.

The situation in Nepal

Poverty and frequent natural disasters have crippled many communities in Nepal, particularly in rural areas.

39 in 75

districts were affected by the 2015 earthquake (UN World Food Programme, 2015)

1/2

of the population do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities (World Bank, 2016)

41%

of children under the age of five suffer from stunting (UN World Food Programme, 2017)

29%

of children are underweight (UN World Food Progra

Islamic Relief in Nepal

Islamic Relief has been providing critical emergency aid in Nepal since 2015, when a devastating earthquake struck the country. We supported over 2.2 million survivors after launching an appeal as a member of the UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). Our response included building earthquake-resistant permanent shelters and repairing and building drinking water systems in the remote district of Rasuwa, in the high mountains. We also worked with vulnerable ethnic Tamang communities to help them restore their livelihoods.

Islamic Relief is now working towards building the resilience of vulnerable communities by addressing their most pressing needs, particularly food, livelihoods, water, sanitation, hygiene, education, and protection. We support the marginalised communities such as Dalits, Muslims, and indigenous communities.

Islamic Relief in action

Rasuwa was among the districts worst affected by the 2015 earthquake. Around 430 people lost their lives and 98% of the population reported their home had been damaged. The earthquake worsened existing hunger and the lack of drinking water, sanitation and education facilities.

Islamic Relief responded by increasing access to safe, sufficient, and sustainable water supplies and constructed toilet facilities for households and local schools. Our programme included farming training, cash support to start farming, and classroom training for teachers and students.