Nepal

Earthquake in Jajarkot, Nepal

4 November 2023 Nepal Planning response

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the Jajarkot region of Nepal, killing hundreds of people.

A quarter of people in Nepal live below the national poverty line on less than 50¢ (37p) a day. Around 70% of the population rely on agriculture for an income however, in remote mountain areas, food prices are exceedingly high due to the lack of arable land and the time taken to deliver goods through supply routes. With food prices up to twice the cost as in urban areas, food insecurity is an even greater risk for families in these areas.

With frequent natural disasters in an area of insufficient agricultural economic growth from agriculture – accounting for a large segment of the country’s economy – combined with an increasing population, many families are left struggling to survive.

Image: Women gather as part of a women's empowerment project run by Islamic Relief.

The situation in Nepal

Poverty and frequent natural disasters have crippled many communities in Nepal, particularly in rural areas.

39 in 75

districts were affected by the 2015 earthquake (UN World Food Programme, 2015)

1/2

of the population do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities (World Bank, 2016)

41%

of children under the age of five suffer from stunting (UN World Food Programme, 2017)

29%

of children are underweight (UN World Food Progra

Islamic Relief in Nepal

Islamic Relief has been providing critical emergency aid in Nepal over the last few years. When the devastating 2015 earthquake hit, we supported over 2.2 million survivors after launching an appeal as a member of the UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

We provided £83 million to assist families across 14 of worst-hit districts offering immediate and long-term aid included emergency shelter, tents, tarpaulin, food, blankets, water purification tablets, cooking pots, education services, healthcare and winter shelter and clothing kits for displaced families.

Just two years later, when flash flooding hit India and parts of Nepal in late 2017, our teams on the ground supported the immediate humanitarian needs of people affected by the flooding in the Katihar District. We provided water filters, hygiene kits and emergency shelter kits. We remain committed to assisting displaced, vulnerable families across Nepal and provide support throughout the harsh winter months.