2015

ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES AND SUPPORT AFTER DISASTER

2015

Ifrc

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network, bringing together almost 14 million volunteers. It is present in virtually every community and reaches 160 million people annually through long-term services, development programmes and disaster response. We funded IFRC in Nepal to respond to the Gorkha earthquake and in Uganda, Myanmar and Cambodia to improve community access to water and sanitation.

www.ifrc.org

CHALLENGE

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal in April 2015, toppling buildings in Kathmandu and creating landslides and avalanches in the Himalayas. Nearly 9,000 people died and over 22,000 were injured. Calculated as Nepal’s deadliest earthquake in 81 years, it was also followed by aftershocks and another major quake.

ACTION

Immediately after the earthquake, IFRC and the Nepal Red Cross Society launched a huge emergency response across the 14 worst affected districts. This focused on four key sectors: water supply and improved sanitation; the restoration of livelihoods; rehabilitation of health structures and community health programmes; and help in rebuilding permanent homes.

The Red Cross volunteers distributed water, soap and hygiene kits, relief kits with tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets and building tools, unconditional cash grants and safe drinking water. It also provided health services, including first aid, hospital care and psychosocial support.

IMPACT

In the six months following the disaster, 8,000 Red Cross volunteers distributed food to 2.8 million people, provided tarpaulins to over 550,000 people and hygiene kits to 620,000 people, and reached millions with safe water and sanitation.

2.8

PEOPLE RECEIVED FOOD

such as rice, oil and pulses

620,000

PEOPLE PROVIDED WITH RELIEF KITS

including tarpaulins, blankets and kitchen sets

4.6

LITRES OF SAFE DRINKING WATER

provided

350,000

CASH GRANTS

given to individuals