Nepal

People in Need began providing aid to Nepal in 2015 when the country was hit by the most destructive earthquake in the last 80 years. The earthquake left more than 8,500 people dead and thousands of others found themselves without a roof over their heads. Nepal is among one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world and therefore today is still coming to terms with the effects of the earthquake. In Nepal, PIN has, in addition to other activities, helped to repair 125 km of mountain trails and has provided more than 3,900 local inhabitants with work.

Immediately after the disaster, PIN provided humanitarian aid to those in the most afflicted areas. For people who lost everything in the calamity, we administered the essentials such as building materials for the construction of temporary shelters.

Together with the affected community, we gradually began working to restore infrastructure in remote and severely affected areas of the Himalayas. We helped to repair hundreds of kilometres of damaged mountain trails, which in turn provided thousands of locals with work. In this way, the project has boosted the local economy and has ensured people’s access to remote areas, thus making their lives much easier.

The earthquake in Nepal completely destroyed nearly 600,000 homes and damaged over than 280,000 more. Many families were forced to leave their villages, which led to the establishment of camps for internally displaced people. The worsening of safety due to conditions in the camps has primarily threatened women and girls who face risks of violence, sexual abuse or even human trafficking and exploitation. Thus, together with a local organisation and its successful programme “Her Turn”, we are able to combat violence against women.

Additionally, we help inhabitants to prepare for future natural disasters by enabling them to cope with the after effects. Apart from supporting displaced populations, we also support returnees by helping to rebuild their homes so that they are earthquake-resistant.