Situation Report as of May 4, 2015

Guest Post by Gina Gabelia


As of May 4, the situation is shifting from early response to recovery; however, basic needs across the board are still unmet.

8.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, more than 3.1 million people are food insecure, 191,058 homes have been destroyed, 175,162 homes have been damaged, 7,365 people died, and 14,335 people are injured in need of medical assistance.

Nepal has received US $68 million, including US $7.5 million for Flash Appeal Activities; this sum reflects 2% of the total financial requirements for relief and recovery; an additional US $415 million is required to conduct activities across the country.



On May 3, the Government of Nepal formally requested international search and rescue (SAR) teams to begin demobilization and exit plans; 53 SAR teams began demobilization.

Two humanitarian hubs in Gorkha District Headquarters and Chautara in Sindhupalchowk are operational to coordinate district level response. Five additional logistics hubs are being established in Gorkha, Kavre, Chitwan, Sindhupalchowk, and Parsa districts. 72 Village Development Committee offices were destroyed; alternative space is needed to facilitate public services delivery. In Gorkha District, 21 VDC situations have not been accounted for and limited communications constrain regular reporting.

Many areas are not accessible by road and security is a concern in Kolakha District. Much of the relief has been centered around Kathmandu, Gorkha, and Sindhupalchowk, but many other remote villages and districts in the mountainous regions are desperate for aid. Sustained relief and recovery efforts are critical before the next monsoon season, which is projected to begin in six weeks.

52,000 tarpaulins have been distributed in 29 districts and an additional 234,160 are en route to Nepal. It is key to ensure quality specifications are met for tarps to minimize tents, which are heavy to distribute in mountainous regions. Logistical links to remote areas continues to be a challenge, especially with the coming monsoon season.

100 Foreign Medical Teams (FMTs) deployed to expand essential medical services to over 10,000 patients in remote communities by foot and airlift. Field hospitals have been established in Dhunche (Rasuwa District), Chautara (Sindhupalchow District), Bidur (Nuwakot District), and Ramechhap District) to provide medical care, including surgery and obstetrics, for six months. Measles and rubella vaccination campaigns have commenced in the KTM Valley. 28,240 patients have been treated in the KTM Valley hospitals.

The number of amputations has increased and hospitals need additional surgical equipment/supplies, and hospital and maternity tents to ensure services for pregnant and lactating women. Rehabilitation services for post-operations patients are limited. Mental health and psychosocial services are insufficient and risk communication messaging is essential to provide disease outbreaks, including waterborne diseases borne from contaminated water sources. Rapid Response Teams have been deployed to all affected areas for the prevention and control of potential disease outbreaks.

58 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) Camps hosting 37,500 people are open in the KTM Valley; there are not enough camp management partners in-country, most are responding in KTM despite needs in the other hard hit regions.

Public School is scheduled to resume on May 15; additional teachers, tarpaulins, and recreational/educational materials are needed in affected regions beyond the KTM Valley

Free internet service is available for emergency responders by the Ncell office in Gorkha District

3 million people need food assistance and 1.4 million need immediate food assistance. 2,264 metric tons of food have been distributed in 15 districts and 18.8 metric tons of high energy biscuits were distributed in Langtang Village Development Committee and Rasuwa District. There is insufficient therapeutic food for an estimated 10,000 children with Severe Acute Malnutrition and for 70,000 children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition. Only 2 helicopters are available for food distribution; security remains an issue, and there are reported delays in customs on the Nepal-India border. Incoming international cargo needs to be palletised and crated to facilitate faster airport processing and transport.

Water contamination has been reported in remote districts due to lack of toilets. The Cluster plans to provide WASH services to 4.2 million people. 2000 Piyush bottles (water purifying liquid drops) and 3000 water purification tablets were distributed in Gorkha District and WASH standards disseminated to partners.

To reduce risk of human trafficking the Government officially suspended inter-country adoption. Two rape cases were reported in KTM Valley camps. 100 dignity kits provided to the Department of Women and Children for distribution in Kavre district. Nepal Police established a command post for issues pertaining to women, children, and security. On May 4 a daily radio program, “Bhandai-Sundai” (Talking- listening) was launched at 9:30 am on Radio Nepal on 100 MHZ FM or www.radionepal.gov.np to address current earthquake situation and concerns for women and children

The hotline for reporting cases of unaccompanied and separated children is 104 and 1098, which will be followed up by CCWB. There is an increased risk in trafficking, especially in Sindhupalchowk, which is already a main source center for trafficking. Operational services and spaces for sexual and Gender Based Violence are limited.

Source: UN OCHA Situation Report May 4, 2015