NRCS initiates building makeshift houses for quake victims

The Nepal Red Cross Society has started the process to build makeshift houses for the earthquake victims in Doti, Achham, and Bajhang districts. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has provided financial assistance in this initiative.

On 9 November 2022, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter at Gairagaun of Purbi Chauki Rural Municipality-3 in Doti district struck, killing six persons and injuring eight others in the village. Other places of Doti and Achham and Bajhang were affected. Collecting detailed data on the losses in the disaster is underway, it has been said.

Under the relief distribution, around 300 quake victims of the districts were provided money, according to the Red Cross Society. Similarly, 4,400 pieces of tarpaulin, 2,200 quilts, and 500 dignity kits would be provided.

The beneficiaries have been already selected for the relief materials with the help of the respective local level, and the district disaster management committee, it said.

According to it, each quake family will receive a total of Rs 98,600 (Rs 73,600 to build a temporary shelter, Rs 15,000 to purchase necessities, and Rs 10,000 to construct a toilet).

NRCS said arrangements have been made to deposit the amount in the individual accounts of the affected families. The highest 200 families were affected in Doti, 50 in Achham, and 50 in Bajhang.

The Society has adopted the policy of providing financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to post-partum mothers, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and vulnerable families among the most-affected 300 families. Two hundred beneficiaries in Doti and 100 each in Achham and Bajhang have been identified for this purpose. The amount would be deposited in the individual bank accounts of the beneficiaries at the recommendation and coordination of the local governments, NRCS stated.

Most damage reported at Purbichauki

The highest damage from the earthquake is reported at Purbichauki Rural Municipality of Doti district. A detailed assessment of the damage is being conducted at Purbichauki. Ninety houses have been completely damaged while 824 houses suffered partial damage in this rural municipality, the Rural Municipality Office stated.

A survey of the damage would be gradually conducted at all the local levels in the district. Vic-chairperson of Purbichauki Rural Municipality, Pashupati Devi Khadka informed that construction of temporary shelters has been started with the NRCS' assistance for sheltering those families rendered homeless.

Five hundred and forty-one private homes were completely damaged while 4,146 homes were partially damaged in nine local levels in the Doti district. Similarly, 47 schools, nine health posts, nine government buildings, and four cultural heritages suffered damage from the earthquake in the district.

IFRC has said humanitarian assistance would be continuously provided for building the resilience of disaster-vulnerable communities.

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