INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
JAJARKOT, NOVEMBER 6Days after 153 people were killed and several hundred injured, another strong earthquake with 5.6
magnitude struck Nepal on November 6, 2023.
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killed over 2,000
On November 3, 2023, a 6.4
magnitude earthquake struck in the Jajarkot and Rukum Districts of Karnali Province in Nepal causing widespread damage
With the completion of the government's search and rescue operation, the number of deaths stands at 153 (Male: 70, Female: 83) and
338(Male: 138, Female: 200) injured
The initial findings of the Government's Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA) launched on 05 November say over 4,000 homes were damaged in the
hardest hit districts.Following the initial assessment of the remote damage assessment of available secondary data satellite images USGS
data and earthquake risk model, around 1.3 million people might have been exposed and about 0.25 million people may need humanitarian
assistance within 72 hours of the earthquake.
In response to the earthquake - the largest to impact Nepal since the 7.8
magnitude earthquake in 2015 - United Nations agencies have been providing temporary shelter, food, and non-food items as part of a
comprehensive and urgent response to the pressing needs of the affected communities.Speaking about the joint UN Response, the UN Resident
Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Hanaa Singer - Hamdy said, "The government has immediately responded very effectively with search
Despite geographical remoteness and a difficult operating environment, the UN agencies and humanitarian partners are on the ground
supporting the government's efforts by reaching out to around 3000 households with food, shelter, WASH, protection, and health support
More than 382 aftershocks were reported forcing people to spend nights in the open or makeshift shelters in freezing overnight temperatures
The impact of this latest earthquake is compounding the difficulties and vulnerabilities of communities with low socio-economic indicators
and stretched coping mechanisms."According to the statement issued by the UN, the World Food Programme (WFP) is providing logistics support
to the Government and humanitarian partners through the Humanitarian Staging Area, as well as has rapidly dispatched 6 metric tonnes of
ready-to-eat emergency food to the affected areas, helping provide sustenance for approximately 7,500 beneficiaries over three days
The World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting local and national authorities to respond to the health needs of the affected population
and has deployed two basic modules of the interagency emergency health kits to provide crucial aid.UNICEF is dispatching critical emergency
supplies to the affected areas and supporting response efforts to reach the most vulnerable children and families
As of 5 November morning, UNICEF distributed 1,067 sets of tarpaulins and 1,300 pieces of blankets to the affected population, with
additional sets dispatched (3000)
To avoid disease outbreaks, UNICEF is providing Water Sanitation and Hygiene supplies consisting of hygiene kits - bucket, mugs, water
purifier (Piyush) and temporary toilets for the displaced populations in the two most affected districts.The United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) has deployed medical supplies and other supplies for women and girls to ensure that their basic sanitation, menstrual hygiene and
sexual and reproductive health needs are met in the midst of the disaster
Recognising protection needs of the affected communities, UNFPA in collaboration with other agencies also focuses on ensuring gender-based
violence response and referral mechanisms are in place while mobilising response workers, including counsellors and community-based
psychosocial workers.UNDP has committed resources for early recovery, including deploying human resources to the Provincial Emergency
Operation Centre for vital information management
Preparations are underway for the use of drones to assess earthquake damage and deployment of structural engineers and volunteers for
assessing damaged structures.UN Women is collaborating with women's groups to support Community Kitchens and provide relief packages
The agency is gearing up to provide essential supplies for women and children, thermos units, water purification equipment and support for
pregnant women.IOM is providing collaborative assistance to the Provincial Government for response and has deployed human resources to
support the Provincial Emergency Operation Centre with information management
Shelter and NFIs are planned to be distributed to support the displaced population in close coordination with federal and provincial
ministries and local levels.The UN emphasizes the importance of a unified and rapid response to alleviate the suffering caused by this
The collaboration with the government and local authorities remains steadfast in ensuring effective and efficient aid delivery to the
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com